I try really hard not to be a helicopter parent. I think there is value in learning through doing and sometimes failing. Somehow, I ended up with a child who is very cautious anyway, but he LOVES an internet trend.

If a toy is popular enough to have a video about it on Youtube, he is probably going to want to play with it. Some trends can be dangerous though! The pair of Wheelies shoes he just HAD to have, he grew out of without ever getting the hang of them. You have to have some incredible balance to ride those things like they're meant to be worn.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Dr. Martin wishes everyone a happy holiday and hopes no one ends up having to come to see her!

KEEP READING: Check out these totally awesome '80s toys

Gallery Credit: Angela Underwood

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