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 Iâll be finalizing my familyâs Christmas list early on so we can focus more on the family traditions to close out the season. As a self-proclaimed âSantaâs helper,â 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 Martinâs (@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.
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 sheâs 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, itâs perfect timing before you hit the ground running with your holiday shopping. Itâs a great reminder to double-check if any of the gifts on your kidâs list are actually a safety hazard youâll want to assess before buying.
Pediatricianâs Safety Warning About Five Popular Gifts
Dr. Martin says to avoid âanything with a button batteryââthe 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, âI really wish theyâd start limiting button batteries to tiny toys. why does the 15âł pony not use regular batteries?â
Dr. Martin points out that some toys are made with compartments that are âclosed with these little, cheap screws,â leading the batteries to fall out easily. Multiple comments from parents came pouring in with simple statements, like @jeannemariefamâs saying, âI refuse to buy anything with button batteries.â 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 esophagusâa medical emergency.
2. Toys with water beads
The next item that made the pediatricianâs 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, âDonât mess with these,â because when ingested, âthey can get larger and cause bowel obstructions.â The Poison Control website adds, âThese beads can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages if swallowed.â
3. Electric scooters
Another popular item Dr. Martin advises against is electric scooters. She states, âKids get going way too fast on these. They hit a bumpâthey go flying. They mess up their faces, their arms, their heads. Itâs bad news bears.â 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, âelectric scooters should be used under supervision and the kids should be carefulâŠâ One way parent @lazyminna ensured her childâs safety was confirming that the âmax speed is below 2mph. I think this model is safe. đ.â
4. Hoverboards
If youâre having anxiety over whether or not to return your childâs hoverboard, you might be feeling like @angiehenry32, who commented, âThis just took my anxiety level to 100. I just purchased 6 hoverboards for my 6 boys.â However, she added, âI also bought helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guardsâŠâ Besides Dr. Martinâs disclaimer that hoverboards are involved in kids breaking forearms and elbows, she mentions, âThey can literally light your house on fire.â 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 itâs important to still be cautious, it doesnât necessarily mean you have to return the hoverboards that are already sitting in your garage, like TikTok user @amberspringston, who commented, âMe a parent who just ordered her child a hover board đ .â 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 âshould not be a surprise to anybody.â She detests trampolines and claims that trampoline injuries are what keep the emergency department and orthopedic team âin business.â From experience, most of the injuries she sees occur while a child is on the trampoline, not because a trampoline wasnât staked in or because a net wasnât attached. Dr. Martin included that âHomeownerâs insurance also hates trampolinesâ and that âyour insurance company may drop you.â
Other parents chimed in with their own experiences involving how their insurance handled owning a trampoline. TikTok user @vickinh77 stated, âOur homeowners insurance gave us $800.00 to remove our trampoline. Even came to take pictures before and after.â If your insurance advises you to hide your trampoline like @alexaperllâs insurance, you may want to rethink this. She commented, âOurs just told us to move it over for the pictures then we could put it back.â Another TikTok user, @misslcr, advised, âCheck out your declarations pages; not disclosing it may void your coverage.â
Should I avoid these items altogether?
Now that youâve reviewed this information, you may have mixed emotions. It could be a downer to your promise that âSantaâ 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 childâs 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 itâs important to note that âthereâs limits but you canât protect them from everything.â As a parent, I know it is my job to protect my kids, but that doesnât 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 youâre a parent who has already purchased these gifts, like @katieemery6, who commented, âI have a trampoline in my yard and [hoverboard] hiding for Christmas đ,â this pediatricianâs toy safety warning is helpful information to have when talking to your kids about their safe usage.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Intern
As the editorial intern, Patty works with The Everymomâs team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When sheâs not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathonsâshe ran one 16 weeks pregnantâtraveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.