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From doing homework, to playing sports, or even just picking out the perfect outfit to wear on the first day of school, eye health is vitally important to the nation's youth. Consequently, as the end of summer approaches, and the start of school creeps upon us, August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month.

As a parent or caregiver there are a few important safety tips to remember when it comes to children's eye health and safety.

1. Protect against germs and thus eye infections!

Make sure to wash hands regularly by vigorous scrubbing with warm water and soap before using eye drops, inserting contact lenses, and touching around the eyes. When using eye drops, do not touch the tip of the bottle with your hands. Never use saliva to wet or clean contact lenses. When applying makeup, consider keeping the point of application clean, and never share makeup with others.

2. Monitor screen time!

Starring at a phone or computer screen for a long period of time can put strain on the eyes. Remember to blink frequently, even when starring at a screen. Also, try to break focus on the screen every now and then by looking at something across the room for a few moments.

3. Don't stare into a bright light!

Although they may be tempted, children should never look directly into a bright light, like a flashlight or the sun. Wear sunglasses, to protect against UV light that can cause long-term damage to the inner structures of the eye, even in the middle of winter.

4. Those goofy goggles, aren't so goofy after all!

Wear protective eyewear while participating in rigorous physical activities, especially sports like racquetball. Also, when working on projects in shop class or the science lab, protective eyewear should be kept on at all times (even for those not manipulating the machinery/chemicals). It only takes a second for something to hit an unprotected eye and cause serious damage.

5. Check the toys!

Age-appropriateness should always be considered with every toy purchase. For younger children, toys with sharp or protruding parts should be avoided. Toys should meet the safety standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

6. They're pretty, but dangerous!

Although many fireworks are designed to look like toys and can be very enticing to kids, only responsible adults should handle fireworks. Children especially should be a safe distance away to observe them.

Lastly, remember that one of the most important things that you can do for your or your children's eyes is to have them checked by a doctor during regular physical examinations. Remind children and teens that their eyes are just like any other part of their body. If they're having trouble seeing, or something has been hurting or bothering them, they should tell an adult at school or the caregiver at home right away to be examined by an eye specialist.

Programs from the Byrnes Health Education Center like "SenseAble Me" and "Sensational" teach students in kindergarten through second grade about the importance of the five senses, details about how each sense works, and safety tips to keep these vital senses safe. To learn more visit www.byrneshec.org or call (717)-848-3064.

Nikole E. Tome, MPH, CHES is an assistant director/program evaluation at the Byrnes Health Education Center. She graduated in 2013 from West Chester University with a Master's Degree in Public Health. She has also obtained her Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credentials from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.