Ow Wii, Ow Wii.

Okay a little play on words I know but this warning needs to be heard before you have an accident and become a victim as well.

With the new interactive Nintendo Wii game console, the intent was to get people up off the couch and involved in their gaming experience.  Everyone up, time to get moving, swinging, slashing, boxing and bowling into action.   No more couch potatoes allowed here, everyone get on board.  Skip warming up, stretching or building up to the work out, rather jump in there and let it all hang out.  Bust some moves like you haven’t in years.  Throw caution to the wind.  This is where the fun can run aground.

There are an increasing number of accidents beginning to be recorded as a result of the Wii experience.  Some of the injuries and accidents I am aware of include the following.

1 – Busted flat screen from a controller that sailed out of a players hand when they failed to use the wrist strap to prevent accidental release.

2 – Broken window for the same reason.

3 – Busted hand from an attempted jump serve when the players hand struck the ceiling.

4 – Busted finger from a sword slashing hand that struck a moving ceiling fan.

5 – Twisted ankle from a boxer dancing around the front room only to trip over a stray shoe.

6 – Sprained back from a bowler who slipped on a linoleum floor after his “near” perfect follow through pose.

7 – Very sore shoulder and back for two days after 4 rounds of golf. 

8 – A sprained wrist from throwing one too many curve balls in the great baseball playoff.

9 – An innocent bystanders arm bruised from a wild baseball swing.

            So what’s the bottom line here? Don’t get a Wii? No quite the opposite.  The Wii is going to be one of the next best game consoles ever made and it will suck you into games and action like never before.  It’s addicting.  The real bottom line is just like starting any new exercise routine or rigorous workout, START SLOW and build up too it.  The kids may be able to jump right into it, but adults should remember to warm up, maybe even stretch a little before playing and then go slow.

            Finally, make sure you utilize the wrist strap, clear the floor of anything you may trip over, and make sure your swinging zone does not include in ceilings lights, fans or any other strikeable objects.  Then get at it, Wii On!

Erin Johnston is the author of the self improvement and self help web site www.gowinplaces.com and the interactive gaming domains www.officialwiistore.com and www.wiisupercenter.com