Top 5 presents parents should NOT buy this Christmas ‘unless you want to spend Boxing Day in hospital’ says A&E doctor
CHRISTMAS comes once a year, so it can be tempting to spoil your little ones and get them everything on their wish list.
Unless you want to spend Boxing Day in A&E though, there are five toys you should avoid this year - according to an emergency room doctor.
Dr Meghan Martin is a mum-of-four, a pediatrician and emergency doctor who has become Tiktok famous for her educational videos on everything medical.
Better known as @beachgem10 on Tiktok, this doctor has quickly wracked up over a million followers as she tries to ease parents fears.
However, the medical expert has given a stark warning just in time for the holidays - listing the toys most likely to put tots in the hospital.
In fact, we hope you've kept the receipts as there are some surprisingly common toys on Dr Meghan's naughty list.
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Having spent extensive time in the ER, she revealed that she was concerned about toys with small button batteries - which are often a choking hazard.
"They keep those little compartments closed with these little cheap screws," she told her fans, adding: "It's not worth it. They can literally kill kids, and they do. Every year."
Just like other safety experts we've featured, the pediatrician wasn't putting water or squishy gel beads under her Christmas tree either.
It's not just little kids that should be careful around these though, with Orbeez and other similar brands becoming a problem for pets too - as they can obstruct airways if swallowed.
Whilst you might not be surprised to see these stocking fillers on her list, Dr Meghan also warned parents about the dangers of other Christmas presents.
Though you might want to encourage your children to exercise more, especially as the weather warms up - it might not actually be that beneficial for them.
According to the medical expert, electric scooters often cause more physical damage despite being an easy way to get kids outdoors.
"Kids go way too fast on these. They hit a bump, they go flying,
they mess up their faces, their arms, their heads," she explained, joking: "It's bad news bears."
Hoverboards also had similar issues, as kids regularly ending up in A&E on Boxing Day with broken arms and fractured elbows - or even skulls.
If that weren't enough to make you leave this must have toy at the checkout, the doctor also warned that there had been fires linked to the electrical device.
Of course, at the top of her naughty list was the Christmas classic: the trampoline.
Whilst it might look adorable on the John Lewis ad, this exercise device can often cause broken bones - no matter how many safety precautions you take.
"I detest trampolines," said Dr Meghan, joking: "They literally keep the emergency department and the orthopedics team in business."
According to the medical expert, most accidents happen on the trampoline - meaning a net or burying it in the ground won't stop your kids from getting hurt.
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Though you are likely to be seen by the NHS, those with private health care might not be covered for accidents on trampolines which is another reason to ban these from the garden.
So if you want a silent night this Christmas, maybe just stick to charades instead.
