The Nintendo Wii is a remarkable new game system using state-of-the-art remote control technology. It allows the player to really get into the game, like it's really happening. The only problem is that people DO… and break things!

It seems that the Wii has two handy uses: to provide an exciting and enjoyable video gaming experience; and to help get rid of all your unwanted light fixtures, china, coffee cups and appliances.

A majority of the accidents and injuries seem to involve the Wii's strap. Wii users claim the strap breaks easily and, during intense gaming, this sends the remote flying across the room in a collision course with a TV or somebody's face. Nintendo takes no responsibility for these strap-related accidents, but has posted on it's customer service site a warning about using the remote safely.

The other major cause of Wii-related accidents and injuries is people, and the silly things they do.

Most of the trouble is related to sports games. For example, a gamer is involved in a heated bowling match. He needs to get a strike and he gives the ball all he's got. Unfortunately, all he's got snaps the tiny strap and the remote goes flying - right into his brand new HDTV. It's a sad day for all involved.

In another bowling related accident, where this time the gamer is using the Wii's sleeve for more protection, the sleeve gets sweaty and flies off. The remote goes crashing into the china cabinet and the symphony of breaking glass brings his angry mother.

Baseball is proving to be a pretty dangerous sport these days. There have been reports of would-be baseball stars going for that home run and twisting their ankles in the process. Some major injuries have resulted from this, where people have been stuck in a cast for weeks. And, as you might imagine, pitching can be deadly. There are reports all over the place of wild pitches sending the remote into lampshades, coffee cups, plasma lamps and basically any glass surface in the vicinity.

You don't think of fishing as a high intensity sport, but still Wii players have managed to injure themselves and break things while trying to reel in that big score. One gamer leaned back until his chair snapped and sent him onto the floor. Maybe the Wii's games are TOO realistic!

By far, the deadliest game is tennis. This is especially for tall people, and especially during serves. Some people get wild and out of control with their serves and end up putting their hands into light fixtures, ceiling fans and chandeliers. Even worse, some tennis players have inadvertently smacked friends and loved ones in the face during a high energy match.

Wii can be dangerous not just for players and household items, but for other people in the room. There have been stories of innocent bystanders, in some cases kids, getting brained or smacked during golf tournaments. Some kids have gotten bruises and busted lips from their parents' bowling. It shouldn't be any surprise, but placing Wii remotes in the little hands of children often results in smashed TVs.

Outside of natural human stupidity, there are some things you can do to game safely: make sure you hold that remote firmly in your hand and make sure there is plenty of space in the room. If you really want to be safe, we suggest playing your Wii in a padded room with no furniture and pillows all over the floor.

Or maybe we should take the Wii and play it outside.