ER doctor urges people to stop doing five things for their own safety

Warning: This article contains discussion of drug use and hazing which some readers may find distressing.

An ER doctor has warned people to be 'aware of the potential risks' that come with five things associated with pretty common activities.

There's five things an ER doctor has warned can pose a serious risk to your health and it's more than likely you've done at least one of them.

Not using electric scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards safely

Dr Leana Wen told CNN there's been an influx in injuries sustained as a result of people not using electric scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards safely.

By safely, this means wearing a helmet - yes, helmet hair is a small sacrifice to pay to save your skull from potentially cracking open should you have a fall.

Riding one of the above drunk or under the influence of drugs is also - shockingly - a big no no as increases the risk of your reaction times slowing and you losing control of the vehicle.

Dr Wen adds: "Check for damage and make sure the brakes, tires, frame, handlebars and other key components are intact. Follow manufacturer instructions: If they say that only one person should use the device, do not transport another rider."

And the second warning is also driving-related.

Don't forget your helmet (Getty Stock Images)

Texting while driving

It's a warning which is as old as, well, most cars - don't text while driving.

Not only is it illegal but it means your gaze is away from the road and subsequently should anything enter your path, you may not see it and end up in a collision and potentially hurting yourself and / or others.

Despite the warning having been around for so long, Dr Wen notes a major cause of traffic crashes even today is distracted driving.

Even if your phone doesn't have to be in your hand, always make sure you're stationary and securely and safely parked before replying to a text, updating your map directions or picking up a call.

Put it down (Getty Stock Images)

Don't take part in unsafe social media challenges

If someone told you to jump, you shouldn't respond: 'How high?' - and just because they did it, doesn't mean it's safe for you to as well.

Social media challenges can end up going viral on platforms with some having previously encouraged people to take part in something called 'chroming' or the 'Blackout' challenge.

Children have ultimately passed away as a result of attempting to complete certain challenges.

If you do see a challenge on social media, always question what it's asking you to do and talk to those around you about it, particularly if it's encouraging harmful activities such as inhaling or ingesting anything - which leads onto the next warning.

Dance challenges? Fine. Other social media challenges? Think twice (Getty Stock Images)

Don't take pills from unknown places or people

Now, this may seem fairly self-explanatory when you consider buying drugs off sites such as the dark web, but Dr Wen also warns against simply taking medications or pills even off family members or friends.

Ultimately, you don't know where they've got their pills from and they could be counterfeit and subsequently unsafe and pose a potential risk to your health.

"Take only medications that have been prescribed for you and filled at an authorized pharmacy," Dr Wen states. "[...] If you are obtaining medicines from an unauthorized source, online or otherwise, you have no idea what’s in the medicine. You don’t know if it contains the active ingredient that you thought you were getting. You don’t know if there are dangerous contaminants. Many counterfeit pills contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and is a leading cause of drug overdose deaths."

Don't take pills unless you know exactly where they're from (Getty Stock Images)

Never leave kids unattended near bodies of water

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns drowning is the 'number one cause of death among young children' with around 4,000 unintentional deaths in the US every year.

Ensuring a pool is maintained to a good standard with safety measures in place such as gates and giving children water safety lessons can help reduce the risk of them coming to any harm, but ultimately, Dr Wen notes it's best to always be around should any kids go in the water.

And you shouldn't be drinking or drug-taking while supervising either.