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Victim Of Fireworks Accident Has Message Of Safety

Fireworks Accident Victim Has Message

(CBS) -- Jameson Lamb was celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with his family in Michigan three years ago when a roman candle severely damaged his right eye.

"At first, it felt like I got punched in the face, and didn't feel the burn right away, but then I realized how bad it was," the 19-year-old sophomore at Northwestern tells WBBM's Lisa Fielding.

"It was completely black and there were fragments from the fireworks in my eye. I thought I would lose the eye that night. I thought that was it."

He cannot see out of the eye. Lamb says he will have his second cataract surgery this fall in hopes of restoring at least some of its eyesight.

In the meantime, he uses his own experience and takes his message to the masses now.

"I can tell you from my own experience it's not worth the risk," Lamb says. "Be safe this Fourth. If you do fireworks at home, wear eye protection. Better yet, go to a professional show. It's safer. Whatever you do, please don't let kids play with fireworks."

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, sparklers actually cause the most injuries.

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