August 27, 2021 – In Breaking News – Hackensack Meridian Health
Dare devils across the internet are at it again with a new and very dangerous viral trend, the #MilkCrateChallenge.
(Medical experts say the latest viral challenge that involves walking up a teetering pyramid of milk crates could end with lifelong injuries. The trend has fueled millions of views on social media, and now TikTok has banned the videos from its search. Courtesy of TODAY, NBC and YouTube. Posted on Aug 28, 2021.)
What is the Milk Crate Challenge?
There’s no pain like stepping on a Lego with your bare foot – now imagine falling from six feet in the air and landing on a pile of giant Legos. That is essentially the Milk Crate Challenge.
First, participants build a pyramid of milk crates. Next, they attempt to climb the stacked crates like a staircase.
The main goal is to make it across all of the crates without falling.
If aliens are watching us, I’m pretty sure the milk crate challenge is their favorite channel pic.twitter.com/XrjrdRA7NQ
— David Armano (@armano) August 25, 2021
Is the Milk Crate Challenge safe?
“While some may see this as a fun way to test their balance, this is a very quick and painful way to end up in the emergency department,” shares Michael Ullo, M.D., assistant medical director for the emergency department at Hackensack University Medical Center.
“Think about the risks that come with falling off a ladder, then add sharp plastic crates to break your fall – it’s not a good outcome.”
Dr. Ullo shares that this trend can result in a variety of minor to very serious injuries including:
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Broken or fractured bones
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Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
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Concussion or traumatic brain injury
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Bruising, cuts and lacerations
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Internal bleeding and even death
Some social media sites are taking steps to help prevent these dangerous challenges from spreading.
TikTok has now banned the trend from the platform, sharing that it prohibits “content that promotes or glorifies dangerous acts.”
Should parents be concerned about this viral trend?
“This is not something you want to look the other way on,” shares Frank Cunningham, M.D., director of the pediatric emergency department at JFK Medical Center.
“It’s natural for kids to want to test their strength and agility, but this challenge is too dangerous to partake in.”
“Overall, stay away from anything that involves the word ‘challenge’ in it, it typically involves some risky behavior or activity.”
(Learn More. The goal of the “Milk Crate Challenge” is to make it from one side of the pyramid to the other. As you can see, well, it isn’t so easy to pull off. We spoke with Dr. Nehemiah Mabry, an engineer, about why these milk crate structures are so unstable, and what can be done to fortify them. Courtesy of WIRED and YouTube. Posted on Sep 3, 2021.)
Continue reading… Doctors Warn Against the Milk Crate Challenge
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