After The Holidays Come the ER Visits

The thrill of holiday gifting is now behind us, and those favorite toys are members of the family. This may be a cause for regret.

That’s because some of the most popular toys of this season, are also some of the most dangerous.

Maryland urgent care provider Righttime Medical Care has looked though the records, and discovered that the following toys are the most likely to lead to a visit at an urgent care center:

Hoverboards

Riders can easily lose control of the board and fall down, leading to elbow fractures, ankle injuries, wrist fractures and even traumatic brain injuries or concussions. When using a hoverboard, Righttime recommends the following tips:

Do not ride the board if you have a weak core or weak abdominal muscles, as it may be difficult to maintain balance.
Wear proper protection such as a helmet, elbow pads and wrist guards. A fall while in motion can easily result in a sprain, fracture or concussion.
Avoid crowds to prevent injuries to others in case the board goes out of control.
Use caution if buying boards for children. Operating the board takes a high degree of control so be sure to monitor children during use.

Quadcopters, gyrocopters and drones

The high-speed rotors can cause serious lacerations and eye injuries. When using a quadcopter or similar toy, adhere to the following safety tips:

Keep any quadcopter within eyesight at all times and remain clear of the device while it is in operation.
Always maintain a safe distance from people, animals and objects. Never fly towards people and avoid flying over anyone in the vicinity.
Check and follow all local laws and ordinances before flying over private property.
FAA rules prohibit recreational quadcopters from flying above 400 feet, near airports or in other potentially dangerous ways.

Airsoft Guns

Airsoft guns can present a serious safety hazard as they can shoot projectiles at very high speeds. The most common injuries associated with airsoft guns are eye and facial injuries, and contusions (bruising). When using an airsoft gun it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

Always wear eye protection or full facemasks when you shoot or handle airsoft guns.
Point an airsoft gun only in a safe direction and never at another person or animal.
Remove the magazine and/or disconnect the battery until you are ready to use the gun – simply turning on the safety is not enough. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
Never use Airsoft guns in public places such as schools and parks.

Before we all get too panicked over these “dangerous toys”, let’s keep in mind that many of us old-timers received actual firearms as Christmas presents when we were kids.

So, maybe these hot sellers are relatively more likely to cause injury than, say, a bouncy ball is. But a few precautions, (like the ones provided here), should help to keep your family safe.