Is the Nintendo Wii the most dangerous computer games console of all time? Well, you've no doubt heard or seen some of the news stories that suggest it probably is. The physical danger factor stems from the way you use the game controller that comes with the console.

In an attempt to create a more natural way of affecting the onscreen action, Nintendo have given you a controller that you swing around as you play. So, for example, if you were playing a computerized game of tennis, you would swing the controller as if it were a tennis racket in a real game of tennis. This introduces much greater interactivity and most players have reacted very favorably to this.

This novel way of using the game controller is certainly unique to the Nintendo Wii and makes it stand out from the current crop of computer gaming consoles, but it has caused problems - and even physical injury - to a minority of users who've failed to exercise the proper level of caution.

Injuries caused by the use of the Nintendo Wii fall mainly into two categories:

1) Injuries to players themselves straining muscles etc. that they aren't used to using, and

2) Injuries to innocent bystanders who've been whacked in various parts of their anatomy by flailing games players and flying controllers.

If you want to prevent injury to yourself from playing games on the Nintendo Wii then you should use a warm up routine similar to that practiced by an athlete. Don't laugh! Maybe it does sound rather silly to be warming up physically before playing computer games but, seriously, a regime of stretching exercises before playing will ensure that your body is warmed up properly and will help prevent strained muscles, ligaments and tendons.

To prevent injury to yourself if you're in the vicinity of a Nintendo Wii player, the best thing you can do is to stand as far out of harms way as possible. If you're the player and there are others sharing the room with you then just exercise reasonable caution. A modicum of common sense is usually all it takes to prevent accidents.

On of the commonest causes of Nintendo Wii injuries is failing to make sure that the strap that goes around your wrist from the games controller is properly secured. An unsecured Nintendo Wii games controller can easily slip out of your grasp and hit someone.

You should make sure to check the games controller wrist strap at regular intervals and get a replacement if the original shows any signs of wear and tear.

As long as you follow the above tips and exercise due caution when playing with your Nintendo Wii, your computer game playing should be as enjoyable and safe as possible.