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By Jeffrey Peebles, M.D. – Southlake Medical Director, Complete Care
The Huffington Post recently ran a great article detailing some of the things that emergency room doctors consider hazardous enough that they do not want them near their homes or property. Here are just a few of them.
Trampolines
According to one doctor interviewed for the story, most ER doctors will refuse to buy trampolines for their children due to the high volume of injuries they see. Severe trampoline injuries include broken legs, neck problems and fractures affecting the upper body. Even though most models come with netting surrounding the trampoline, many doctors will still steer clear.
Swimming Pools
Another physician said he sees so many cases of children drowning in swimming pools he refuses to have one built in his yard. One thing that scares him the most about pools, he said, is the fact that a drowning can occur so quickly and silently.
Expired Pain Medication
A lot of people will keep their old pain medication – often well after it has expired – because it can be much harder than before to get prescriptions for certain types of painkillers. However, doctors recommend you throw out old pills to eliminate the risk of children accidentally taking them. Specific drugs mentioned in the article included Oxycontin, Percocet and Vicodin.
Ramen Noodle Soup
Something as seemingly benign as ramen noodle soup could be a major safety risk – according to one of the doctors interviewed for the article. Actually, any soup that comes in a Styrofoam container can be dangerous, since it gets so hot when put in a microwave oven. This particular doctor mentioned that he has seen many cases of infants and toddlers being scalded because parents forget how hot these soups can get.
Extension Ladders
Seth Podolsky with the Cleveland Clinic Emergency Medicine Institute said that not only would he prohibit extension ladders from his home, he would not permit a pressure washer on his property. He said his staff often treats people who have fallen off high ladders, and he has seen cases of lacerations – and even penetrating injuries – caused by pressure washers.
If you or someone in your home ever experiences any kind of medical emergency, get in touch with the experts at Complete Care. Contact us online to learn more.
Dr. Jeffrey Peebles, M.D. has an extensive amount of experience in delivering advanced emergency care. He is board certified with the American Board of Emergency Medicine, and a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians/Texas College of Emergency Physicians. Dr. Peebles is committed to providing timely, affordable and high-quality medical care to the Southlake community.