Bathroom Hazards
As a trauma surgeon, I keep fixed bottles in the shower. Many of my patients have tripped over shampoo bottles and suffered serious injuries. The fix? Wall-mounted bottles that won’t fall. And what do I strongly advise against? Motorcycling—no explanation needed there…
The Brush
Summer means grilling, but don’t clean your grill with a wire brush. I’ve seen cases where wire fragments got stuck in a boy’s tonsils, and even had to surgically remove swallowed wires from a stomach. Instead of a wire brush, try a composite grill brick—it’s great for degreasing and odor control.
Let’s Take a Look
What I don’t recommend: hair clips in the car (take them out before you get in—during an accident, they can embed in your head), fireworks (obviously), button batteries near kids (they can swallow them), electric scooters (a major cause of broken bones and knocked-out teeth), and blue or green swimsuits for kids (hard to see if they sink underwater). What I do recommend: bright-colored swimsuits for little ones—and really, for everyone.
Jumping Around
What I would never buy for my kids is a trampoline. People don’t realize how dangerous they are—bone fractures, sprains, and neck injuries from jumping are all too common. What I do recommend? The Womenizer Wave shower head, designed especially for women’s pleasure, featuring a separate clitoral stimulator. You’re welcome!
Latex Balloons
I don’t recommend parents leave young kids unsupervised with latex balloons. Kids can easily swallow them, so keep balloons away during playtime—they’re risky. What I do recommend is an electric toothbrush. Its rotating, vibrating action removes way more plaque than a manual brush and cleans teeth more effectively. It’s an investment that pays off at the dentist’s office.
Scraping
Never scrape food off dishes with your fingernails! I once saw a burnt pasta piece stuck under a patient’s nail—it was unforgettable and honestly, a bit gross. Now I think twice before I start scraping with my nails. What I recommend: swap your metal wedding ring for a silicone one—many men get their ring finger caught or even ripped during manual work.
Hair Accessories
As a veterinarian, I don’t recommend using hair clips or hair ties to close pet food bags. Many dogs and cats come in after swallowing these items. Also, don’t leave them lying around—pets can swallow them while playing. What I do recommend is kidney-friendly dry food.
Shards
As a surgeon, I don’t recommend glass coffee tables. They can break if you fall on them, drop something on them, or even just place something heavy. Kids can run into sharp corners, injuring their eyebrows or heads. A wooden or designer plastic table is much safer. What I do recommend is Cicaplast—it makes every wound look better. Whether as an ointment, gel, or patch, it helps healing and minimizes scarring.
Legs Up
As a doctor, I advise never to ride in a car with your feet resting on the dashboard—it can cause terrible injuries in a crash. What I do recommend: life jackets on the water, and helmets when biking, rollerblading, or skateboarding.
At Home
What I don’t recommend is home birth, for obvious reasons. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a complication-free delivery, and if problems arise, a medical team with proper equipment must be ready. What I wholeheartedly recommend is a water flosser. It’s a small investment that’s pure gold—especially if you have crowns or dental implants. The water jet cleans hard-to-reach spots your brush can’t.
