Holiday Safety Reminder: Pediatrician Shares 5 Christmas Presents That Can Land Kids in the ER

Holiday festivities will be in full swing before we know it. As a mom, my goal this year is to control the mental load of the holidays and enjoy what this season has to offer. That means I’ll be finalizing my family’s Christmas list early on so we can focus more on the family traditions to close out the season. As a self-proclaimed “Santa’s helper,” one thing that helps me narrow down a long wishlist is reviewing if a gift is safe for my child to have or not. One doctor agrees. A pediatrician and mom of four is sharing some helpful warnings to be aware of this Christmas. Dr. Meghan Elizabeth Beach Martin’s (@beachgem10) viral video issuing a toy safety warning of the top holiday gifts that can land your kids in the emergency room is circulating social media for a second year in a row.

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The toy safety warning on which gifts to avoid is something you may want to consider. The gifts that made her list come from common injuries she’s seen in her own emergency department. The viral video has gained traction across multiple social platforms like Facebook and TikTok. With over 4 million views and thousands of comments, it’s perfect timing before you hit the ground running with your holiday shopping. It’s a great reminder to double-check if any of the gifts on your kid’s list are actually a safety hazard you’ll want to assess before buying.

Pediatrician’s Safety Warning About Five Popular Gifts

1. Toys with a button battery

Dr. Martin says to avoid “anything with a button battery”—the coin-shaped batteries that toys may require. It does surprise me how many toddler toys call for button batteries, and TikTok user @amaosmon is wondering, too. She commented, “I really wish they’d start limiting button batteries to tiny toys. why does the 15″ pony not use regular batteries?”

Dr. Martin points out that some toys are made with compartments that are “closed with these little, cheap screws,” leading the batteries to fall out easily. Multiple comments from parents came pouring in with simple statements, like @jeannemariefam’s saying, “I refuse to buy anything with button batteries.” Button batteries are concerning because they can easily be swallowed. When ingested, the chemical reaction between saliva and the battery causes the battery to dissolve and internally burn the esophagus—a medical emergency.

2. Toys with water beads

The next item that made the pediatrician’s toy safety warning is water beads. Dr. Martin says there are sensory toys on the market made with water beads. Not only are they harmful to people, but they can be harmful to pets as well. Dr. Martin advises, “Don’t mess with these,” because when ingested, “they can get larger and cause bowel obstructions.” The Poison Control website adds, “These beads can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages if swallowed.”

3. Electric scooters

Another popular item Dr. Martin advises against is electric scooters. She states, “Kids get going way too fast on these. They hit a bump—they go flying. They mess up their faces, their arms, their heads. It’s bad news bears.” The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that any child under the age of 16 not ride electric scooters because of the high risk for a serious injury. An electric scooter may be better for a teen gift. One TikTok user, @chrislawrence85, points out, “electric scooters should be used under supervision and the kids should be careful…” One way parent @lazyminna ensured her child’s safety was confirming that the “max speed is below 2mph. I think this model is safe. 😂.”

4. Hoverboards

If you’re having anxiety over whether or not to return your child’s hoverboard, you might be feeling like @angiehenry32, who commented, “This just took my anxiety level to 100. I just purchased 6 hoverboards for my 6 boys.” However, she added, “I also bought helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards…” Besides Dr. Martin’s disclaimer that hoverboards are involved in kids breaking forearms and elbows, she mentions, “They can literally light your house on fire.” Fire? This was something that definitely caught my attention.

If the lithium-ion battery in a hoverboard is damaged, it can overheat and cause a fire. While it’s important to still be cautious, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to return the hoverboards that are already sitting in your garage, like TikTok user @amberspringston, who commented, “Me a parent who just ordered her child a hover board 😅.” The U.S. Consumer Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a hoverboard safety alert that recommends steps you can take to reduce the risk of a fire happening. The recommendations include things like only using the charger that the hoverboard came with and not charging your hoverboard unattended.

5. Trampolines

Number one to top the list is trampolines. Dr. Martin says this item “should not be a surprise to anybody.” She detests trampolines and claims that trampoline injuries are what keep the emergency department and orthopedic team “in business.” From experience, most of the injuries she sees occur while a child is on the trampoline, not because a trampoline wasn’t staked in or because a net wasn’t attached. Dr. Martin included that “Homeowner’s insurance also hates trampolines” and that “your insurance company may drop you.”

Other parents chimed in with their own experiences involving how their insurance handled owning a trampoline. TikTok user @vickinh77 stated, “Our homeowners insurance gave us $800.00 to remove our trampoline. Even came to take pictures before and after.” If your insurance advises you to hide your trampoline like @alexaperll’s insurance, you may want to rethink this. She commented, “Ours just told us to move it over for the pictures then we could put it back.” Another TikTok user, @misslcr, advised, “Check out your declarations pages; not disclosing it may void your coverage.”

Should I avoid these items altogether?

Now that you’ve reviewed this information, you may have mixed emotions. It could be a downer to your promise that “Santa” is bringing a trampoline Christmas morning. So, do you really need to nix gifts that contain a button battery? Should you avoid buying a hoverboard altogether? Not necessarily.

When it comes to toys with button batteries or toys that contain water beads, considering your child’s age and whether or not they understand the hazards can help you decide if a gift is worth keeping. Do they understand not to swallow these items? Even if so, are younger siblings or pets in the house still a risk?

As far as electric scooters, hoverboards, and trampolines go, ensure your children are at the appropriate age to follow safe usage. Safety tips and consequences for not following the rules can help ensure they use the products safely. Safety gear, like a helmet and pads, can also reduce the risk of injury.

Final thoughts

Like @mysuggestedusername, I think it’s important to note that “there’s limits but you can’t protect them from everything.” As a parent, I know it is my job to protect my kids, but that doesn’t mean we have to avoid everything. There are some benefits to letting your kids play with these toys, and always feeling the need to prevent injuries prevents kids from learning their own body awareness. So, if you’re a parent who has already purchased these gifts, like @katieemery6, who commented, “I have a trampoline in my yard and [hoverboard] hiding for Christmas 😂,” this pediatrician’s toy safety warning is helpful information to have when talking to your kids about their safe usage.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patty Schepel, Editorial Intern

As the editorial intern, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.

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