Doctors Say These Toys Could Gift You a Trip to the ER This Christmas

Every year, doctors send out public service announcements regarding popular toys given as gifts for Christmas that could be dangerous.  Whether or not you choose to put them under your tree is totally up to you, but I think it's good to be informed and prepared. No one wants a trip to the emergency room for Christmas.

Most Dangerous Toys For Children

A pediatric emergency medicine doctor at John Hopkins All Children's Hospital in Florida named Dr. Meghan Martin took to TikTok to share a list of the top five popular Christmas toys that could land your kiddo in the ER this Holiday. Some of them you may think "Oh yeah, I would never get that, that's obviously risky." However, a couple of them, I would have gifted without thinking twice about. We even own a few of them. Let's count them down.

1. Trampolines

We have spent so much time on our trampoline over the years and although I know accidents can happen, I had no idea just how often they are the cause of injuries. Dr. Martin said that even with a net, she sees kids in the ER with broken bones from mishaps on the trampoline. "They literally keep emergency departments and orthopedic centers in business."

2. Water Beads

Water Beads are little tiny polymer beads that expand when water is added. They are slippery and slimy once wet so they can be put in a container for kids to dig around with. We have played with them a lot in our house, especially when Rollins was obsessed with trucks and diggers.

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They can cause some serious internal damage if accidentally ingested though. Because they expand when moisture is added, they can cause bowel obstructions and also pose a choking hazard. They shouldn't be given to small children who still put things in their mouths and be careful using them around pets that may snatch up fallen beads thinking they are a snack.

3. Hoverboards

Now this one doesn't surprise me at all. Even the most coordinated of kids could easily wipe out on one of those "Back to the Future" contraptions. Of course that leads to broken arms and even head injuries from whacking their noggins on their surroundings as they fall. Dr. Martin points out that the batteries in hoverboards have also been known to catch fire.

4. Toys With Button Batteries

Speaking of Batteries, the next thing on the list is any toy that contains button batteries. The little screws holding the batteries in the compartment are not the best quality a lot of times and come easily undone. They fall out and often end up stuck in the nostrils by curious littles. The size and shape of the battery would cause it to become stuck in a windpipe/esophagus if swallowed. Choking hazard aside, the batteries start to leak and could become fatal. Parents should call 911 or head to urgent care if they believe their child has swallowed one.

5. Electric scooters

Similar to hoverboards, it is easy to lose control of this toy and end up flying off. Unlike kid-powered scooters, they can get going way too fast. Even with safety gear, the rider can get up close and personal with the pavement ending up with nasty scrapes, head injuries, facial injuries, and forearm fractures according to the video. Dr. Martin said they see a lot of kids who have crashed electric scooters. "They are bad news bears."

@beachgem10 Top 5 gifts that can cause injuries in kiddos and land them in the ER fornthe holidays #Top5#Christmas#Shopping#Dangerous#Emergency♬ original sound - Beachgem10