Dear Ann Landers: I was
trying to jump-start a battery at work. The battery was mismarked, and I accidentally
connected the positive end of the battery cable to the negative battery post. The whole
thing exploded in my face, and I suffered burns from the battery acid. I was lucky,
though, because I was wearing safety glasses. Even though the force of the explosion blew
the glasses off my face, they were on when the battery acid hit, and my eyes were
protected.
My accident happened at an industrial site, but
the same thing can happen when people jump-start their car batteries. These explosions can
shoot acid and sharp pieces in all directions. Battery explosions cause as many as 6,000
eye injuries a year.
I'm now a member of a workplace safety group
sponsored by Prevent Blindness America, the nation's largest nonprofit eye health and
safety organization. According to PBA, nine out of 10 eye injuries are preventable.
If your readers would like more information on
how to prevent blindness, or even how to safely jump-start a car battery, I recommend they
call Prevent Blindness America's toll-free hotline at (800) 331-2020 or write to them at
500 E Remington Road, Schaumburg, Ill. 60173-5611
-Blake
in Longview, Wash. |
