Recently a toy called Lato-Lato suddenly went viral, captivating both kids and adults. However, as the game gained popularity, some incidents happen and caused some trouble. One day, a player accidentally broke a window while swinging the ball too forcefully. A toy that should be fun is instead considered to be a dangerous toy, even some countries ban these toys because they are considered too dangerous.
Lato-lato is a toy that is currently popular among many people recently here in Indonesia, many people like it from children to adults. Clacker balls, also known as lato-lato, are currently hot once more. The shape of the lato-lato toy is very simple, lato-lato itself is a toy in the form of two balls tied to a rope. The way to play lato-lato is also very simple, it is by banging the two balls between the finger quickly until it makes a loud and distinctive sound.
Who would have thought that the toy that has been played with since the 1960s which is lato-lato are now reclaimed its popularity again in early December 2022? They have experienced a tremendous surge in demand and captivated the attention of fans not only in Indonesia but all over the world. The return of these toys can be attributed to the influence of social media, which continues to influence society, especially in Indonesia. As a result, information relating to these toys will continue to traverse the digital landscape, passing across social media platforms, and easily reaching viral status, which further intensifies and fuels its ever growing popularity.
Not only viral across social media platforms, but lato-lato is also believed to have positive influences such as a diversion from the trend of excessive gadget use that has continuously affected society, especially young children. Not only that, this shift is an enjoyable activity that holds the potential to aid cognitive development, as lato-lato serves as an effective tool for sharpening the motor movements and dexterity. Furthermore, the act of playing lato-lato instills vital life skills such as patience, self-confidence, and the ability to concentrate and remain focused, which are very needed qualities in various aspects of one's personal and professional life.
However, amidst the benefits and the enjoyment of this viral toy, it is important to understand the potential drawbacks that come with its popularity. One of the notable concerns arises from the noise generated by lato-lato, which can prove to be a source of annoyance and disruption for individuals at a close distance. Not only that, the material composition of the toy is sometimes easy to be broken, it is the fragments of this broken lato-lato that have the potential to hit and injure the player. Moreover, the dynamic nature of the game introduces the risk of accidental damage when thrown, posing a hazard to both the player and those in the surrounding environment, which may not only humans but also nearby objects.
Recently, a window glass of a house in Kartoharjo Subdistrict, Madiun City, East Java, experienced an unexpected incident when a lato-lato played with by an 11 years old boy was thrown and hit the window, causing the window to break. This unfortunate incident occurred when the lato-lato toy slipped from the child's fingers and hit the window with enough force to cause the window to shatter. The party responsible for this incident is none other than Bambang, the child's father.
In recounting the incident, Bambang shared his side of the story. It all happened on a Saturday (13/5/2023) when his 11 year old son Vino was playing lato-lato in his room. Suddenly, a loud noise was heard in the house, reaching the ears of not only by Bambang but also by the neighbors. Concerned, Bambang immediately rushed to Vino's room to find out the source of the noise. To his surprise, he found that Vino's bedroom window had been shattered by a lato-lato toy that had slipped out of his son's grasp and hit the windowpane. Triggered by the loud noise, worried neighbors flocked to Bambang's house to ask about the origin of the disturbing sound. Bambang explained that the noise came from his window being shattered after got hit by a lato-lato that was played by Vino.
Acting quickly in response to the incident, Bambang immediately cleaned up the broken window glass scattered around the room. As a result, he and his wife had to be patient and spend more money to buy a replacement window. it turns out that this was not the first incident where items in Bambang's house fell victim to Vino's favorite toy. Previously, Vino's lato-lato had caused damage to his mother's favorite vase and flowerpot, both of which were accidentally hit by lato-lato toys that slipped from Vino's fingers. Despite Vino's parents' concerns and the occasional damage to their belongings, Vino's parents are grateful that their son has not been injured in any of these incidents. Moreover, they are comforted by the fact that Vino's interest in lato-lato has managed to distract him from excessive cell phone use, bringing relief to their hearts. but from now on Vino's parents will always keep an eye on Vino when he plays lato-lato to prevent a similar incident.
Even if lato-lato is just a toy, there have been many incidents involving lato-lato. So when you play Lato-Lato, it's really important to focus on being safe and taking the necessary steps to protect yourself. Here are some simple guidelines to make sure you have a secure and fun experience:
- Find a large playground or open area where there's plenty of space to move around and swing the Lato-Lato ball without running into anything or anyone. A larger playground gives you more room to play safely and reduces the chances of accidents.
- Choose a rope that's just the right length to control how far the ball swings. Using a rope that's not too long helps you stay in control and prevents the ball from going too far, which lowers the chances of accidents or getting hurt.
- Make sure you attach and tie the ball to the rope securely so it doesn't come loose while you're playing. When the ball is firmly attached, it reduces the risk of it coming off during energetic swings, which could be dangerous.
- Keep a safe distance not only from your own body parts but also from other people's. Respect personal space and stay a reasonable distance away from others to avoid accidental collisions and injuries.
- Stand in the right position while playing, with one hand holding the rope and the other hand away from the swinging ball. Avoid holding the rope too close to your face to prevent the ball from hitting your head accidentally.
- Pay attention to the swing speed and the direction the ball is moving at all times. Stay alert so you can quickly react and avoid getting hit by a fast-moving ball, reducing the chances of getting hurt.
- Make sure the place where you're playing is quiet and doesn't disturb the other people that living nearby. Keeping a peaceful environment not only ensures your safety but also maintains good relationships with your neighbors.
By following these simple safety guidelines while playing Lato-Lato, you can enjoy the game to the fullest while keeping yourself and others safe. Always remember, safety should be the most important thing to ensure a fun and accident-free experience.
