Supposed to make our lives easier, our technological gadgets can sometimes turn into veritable instruments of torture. A study of American hospital data conducted by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System reveals the funniest accidents caused directly or indirectly by our everyday tech objects.
The champions of disaster
At the top of the list of the most dangerous objects, hoverboards reign as undisputed masters. These motorized skateboards are responsible for the highest number of emergency room visits. Top injuries: wrists and head. A piece of advice that seems obvious but is worth remembering: wear a helmet!
While it is difficult to perceive their dangerous nature, smartphones are the subject of the most absurd mishaps. More than 13% of phone-related injuries are simply the result of their fall on the face, toes or, more tragically, on children.
More than the object itself, it is its distracting aspect which causes the most accidents: 12% of injuries occur when their users, too absorbed by their screen, fall from their bike or trip into potholes. chicken. Even more worrying, 5% of emergency room visits are due to electrocutions or burns caused by these devices.
Gaming can also be dangerous
The world of gaming makes its unique contribution to this list of accidents. Virtual reality games are particularly prolific: more than 64% of VR-related injuries come from unintentional hits worn by loved ones or oneself. The most memorable anecdote involves an unfortunate 12-year-old boy who unintentionally hit himself in a sensitive area, requiring a trip to the emergency room.
“Traditional” players are not spared either. In their case, the injuries are often the result of angry gestures: deliberately hitting windows, mirrors or glass tables. The “haters” are therefore regulars at hospitals. Epileptic seizures represent nearly a quarter of incidents linked to video games, a figure which underlines the importance of warnings on photosensitive content.
Sex toys, obviously
On a more intimate note, connected sex toys are also appearing in emergency statistics. While cases of stuck objects remain less common than earphone tips lost in the ear canals (a surprising comparison to say the least), they nevertheless illustrate the sometimes unsuspected risks of our modern gadgets.
This study therefore reminds us that even the most mundane technological objects in our daily lives can prove dangerous when used incorrectly (or in unfortunate circumstances). It also underlines the importance of responsible and attentive use of our devices, even if certain accidents sometimes make you smile.
- Hoverboards are the tech devices causing the most emergency room visits
- Smartphones cause accidents both by their fall and by the distraction they cause
- Virtual reality mainly causes injuries from accidental blows
