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Emergency medicine physicians have seen it all. From minor injuries that make a great dinner party story to serious trauma, they know a thing or two about accidents. While many people end up at the emergency room due to unavoidable health issues, there are plenty of patients that fall into the "this could've been prevented" category. No one wants to be stuck in the ER for hours or foot the bill afterwards, especially if an injury is avoidable. TODAY.com previously spoke to pediatric emergency medicine physicians about dangerous activities they won't let their own children do — from backyard trampoline jumping to riding ATVs — but what about the doctors themselves? Emergency medicine doctors share the common but risky things they avoid doing and how to stay out of the emergency room. Getting Lazy with Ladders "(We see) a lot of injuries from step stools and ladders, especially this time of year ... we are at peak season for home maintenance, fall cleaning and holiday decorating," Dr. Candace Leigh, an emergency medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital, tells TODAY.com. Ladder accidents are often caused by improper use, for example, choosing the wrong ladder for a specific job, propping up the ladder at an incorrect angle, or placing the legs on unsteady ground, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "People don't take nearly as many...safety precautions at home as professionals do, including wearing a safety harness and protective equipment," Dr. Eric Cioè-Peña, an emergency medicine physician at Northwell Health, tells TODAY.com. Ladder-related falls can result in injuries ranging from minor to lethal. These include contusions, broken arms and legs, and injuries to the head and spinal cord, Leigh adds. That's why it's crucial to follow proper ladder safety before you climb up one. "Consider having someone else help stabilize the ladder and hand you tools or decorations," says Leigh. Riding E-Bikes or E-Scooters Without a Helmet Unanimously, the experts warn about taking joyrides on electric bikes and power scooters without protection. It's incredibly common for people to ride e-bikes and e-scooters without a helmet and fail to follow traffic rules, Cioè-Peña warns. “It really annoys me as an ER doctor,” he adds. As these transportation modes boom in popularity, especially in cities with bike and scooter share systems, injuries related to them are soaring as well, research shows. “What many people don’t realize is that some scooters and e-bikes can reach more than 20 miles per hour,” says Leigh. Falls or collisions with pedestrians and motorists can result in serious injuries. These include fractured extremities, road rash and “head injuries that are 100% preventable,” Cioè-Peña adds. It's crucial to wear a helmet while riding a bike or scooter, motorized or not, the experts note. “Always start at low speeds, obey traffic rules, and never ride while under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances,” says Leigh. Petting Unfamiliar Animals When in doubt, don’t touch or pet an animal you don’t know. Many people wind up in the ER with injuries from pets, especially cats and dogs, including ones they do know, Dr. John Riggins Jr., an emergency medicine physician at New York-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center, tells TODAY.com. These range from scratches to bites and deep puncture wounds. Bacteria from an animal’s mouth can easily enter wounds, which can lead to serious infections — that's why bites and scratches should never be ignored, TODAY.com previously reported. If a pet seems friendly, always ask the owner first before getting close and approach the pet slowly. Never touch wild animals, especially if they're behaving strangely or look sick, Dr. Gabe Kelen, chair of the department of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins University, tells TODAY.com. Yard Work Without Protection The next time you do yard work or garden, don't skimp on the safety gear, the experts warn. This includes mowing the lawn, cutting branches and using any power tools. "Even simple yard work can be precarious, so I always tell people to wear personal protective equipment, meaning gloves, goggles or helmets," says Riggins. Common yard work-related injuries include cuts, burns, fractures, and even amputations and mangling. If people skip protective eyewear, they can wind up with a rogue branch or debris flying into their eye. "This can cause pain, potential infection or damage to vision," Riggins adds. Mowing the lawn or using a chainsaw while wearing the wrong shoes — for example, flip-flops instead of sneakers or steel-toed boots — can result in losing a toe or foot, says Kelen. Lighting Fireworks at Home Firework-related injuries usually peak twice every year, on the Fourth of July and when ringing in the New Year, but you should avoid this risky activity year-round, the experts note. “Setting off fireworks and sparklers at home ... we've seen really bad, dramatic injuries to the hands and other body parts, burns, and damage to the eyes and eardrums,” says Riggins. In 2024, there were approximately 14,700 injuries and 11 deaths caused by fireworks in the United States, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Many of these injuries occur among children, says Kelen, adding that ER doctors see kids lose fingers from fireworks every year. The safest option is to avoid setting off fireworks and leave the explosive pyrotechnics to the professionals. Instead, enjoy your local fireworks show from a safe distance. Carelessly Knifing an Avocado... or Onion “We see plenty of knife injuries in the ED,” says Leigh. Mishaps with knives can result in the expected cuts and stab wounds to finger amputations. Many of these result from improper technique or using the wrong knife, says Cioè-Peña. “Commonly, they’re related to cutting an onion while trying to see through tears or removing an avocado pit with a knife,” Leigh adds. Rushing, multitasking and being distracted while cooking can also increase the risk of knife injuries. “Cleaning knives is another big one... because usually, you’re less careful,” says Cioè-Peña. “Take your time, and don’t wait until your third margarita to cut your avocados,” says Leigh. If you’re unsure about your knife skills, ask someone else to do the job. Borrowing Someone's Prescription Medication Another activity the experts warn against is taking another person's prescription drugs. Medication sharing is not only risky, it's illegal. But it still happens all the time and lands people in the ER regularly, Kelen notes. Often, people will borrow medication from a family member or friend, such as pain and allergy medication, stimulants or leftover antibiotics. It may seem harmless, but many drugs have powerful effects in the body and potentially serious side effects. “They may not know it interacts badly with other medications they’re taking or they take too much ... there’s all sorts of medication errors,” says Kelen. The experts emphasize that these medications are only intended for the person they're prescribed for, not anyone else. Overdoing It with Supplements Taking unprescribed supplements without talking to your doctor, especially in mega-doses, is another risky activity Riggins warns about. These include vitamins, minerals and herbs. While often marketed as a "natural" alternative to medication, supplements “are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases,” per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The safety and efficacy of supplements, along with the accuracy of labels, are not approved by the FDA before they go to market. “Some of these supplements might contain ingredients that can be detrimental to your health,” says Riggins. These include contaminants, such as heavy metals or bacteria. Other supplements can be toxic in high doses, cause harmful side effects and organ damage, or interact with medications. Some of the riskiest supplements include vitamin A, St. John's Wort, turmeric and kava kava, TODAY.com reported previously. Always consult with your doctor before starting a supplement and take it as directed, says Riggins.
