BOSTON -- Everyday summer activities, such as yard work, home repairs or a little cooking and cleaning may put you at risk of eye injuries, a new study said.

A new survey by the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that 44 percent of the 2.5 million reported eye injuries nationwide each year happen in the home.

"The most risk to your eyes is at home sweet home. Many people think that most eye injuries occur in places like construction sites or factories," said Dr. Tamara Fountain, trustee-at-large of AAO. "The fact is, almost half of all eye injuries occur in or around the house, in places like the garage, backyard or kitchen."

The study said some home improvement projects, especially the ones involving power tools, can cause eye injuries to people around the area who aren't even using the equipment.

Yard work, such as mowing the lawn or using a power trimmer or edger could harm the eyes as well.

The study also shows some chemical cleaning products, like bleach, can be hazardous to your eyes. Cooking foods that can splatter hot grease or oil can also put you at risk of eye injuries.

The AAO said more than 90 percent of serious eye injuries can be prevented by the use of appropriate protective eyewear.

“Some patients ask me ‘Do you really expect me to wear these goggles when I’m frying my bacon?’ I said absolutely yes,” said Dr. Fountain. “ We are trying to raise public awareness and take precautions to protect ourselves and our eyesight.”

Eye injuries can have a significant impact on the quality of life. AAO said about 50,000 of eye injuries cause significant lost of vision, which could affect the ability to work and read in daily life.

The study also found that people ages 18 to 44 are the most at risk for eye injuries, and men are more at risk than women.

Fountain, however, said everyone should wear safety glasses.

“It wouldn’t hurt to wear the protected eye goggles when you are working at home,” said Fountain. “We recommend every household to have at least one pair of protected eye glasses. You can find them in any local hardware store for as little as $2.”

Click here to learn more about how to protect your eyes.