In a couple of days, millions of children around the world will gather around Christmas trees and begin unwrapping toys, clothes, and all other manner of gifts. It’s a joyous time for the kids, but also for the parents and loved ones who have put so much time and energy into making those children happy.
Sadly, seemingly innocuous and even commonplace toys can be dangerous for children. Thankfully, one doctor is here to explain.
Dr. Meghan Martin is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. Martin, a mother of four, often shares her expertise about the emergencies she witnesses on the job and offers advice to help other parents avoid them.
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Toys With Coin Batteries
With each season, there are new potential dangers for the kiddos, and Christmas is no different. Martin shared the top five holiday items that land kids in the hospital. No. 5 is button batteries.
“They keep those little compartments closed with those little cheap screws. They can literally kill kids and they do every year. If your child does swallow a button battery, having them ingest honey — on the way to the emergency room — can help slow some of the tissue damage these batteries may cause," she says.
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Water Beads
These toys are marketed toward older children, but if there are young ones in the house, they can be dangerous. Water beads expand in the body if eaten. When they swell, they eventually cause bowel obstructions, Martin notes. They’re not just a danger to children, these beads aren’t great for pets either.
Electric Scooters & Hoverboards
“Kids get going way too fast on these,” Martin said. “They hit a bump, they go flying, they mess up their faces, their arms, their heads. It’s bad news bears.” Martin said hoverboards are also dangerous and the injuries from these toys spikes right after Christmas.
She said children come into the ER with broken forearms, elbows, and sometimes their heads. She concluded, “Also, they can literally light your house on fire.”
Trampolines
Top of the list was an oldie but still relevant mention. “I detest trampolines,” Martin said. “They literally keep the emergency department and the orthopedics team in business.”
Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t matter if there is a net or if the trampoline is buried in the ground. Most of the injuries happen on the trampoline itself.
She concluded the video by hoping everyone has a wonderful holiday that doesn’t include a trip to see her.
Many Instagram users had experienced exactly what Martin had referenced.
If there were any doubts about the doctor’s list, the comments section was full of people who had bad experiences with the items she named. A teacher shared that a student in her class got a hoverboard for Christmas, left it charging in the garage and it burned down the entire family home, and killed their dog.
There were also plenty of additional questions. Someone asked if there was danger with all of the Skyzone Birthday parties. Martin responded, “I’ll page ortho now.” Basically … is it worth the risk?
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
