SAN FRANCISCO: Broken bones, cuts and contusions: Researchers say these are the most-common injuries as rising numbers of people wearing virtual reality headsets come into contact with hard reality while at play in computer-generated worlds.

Recently published Dignity Health research into US emergency-room data shows significant increases in injuries as the technology has become more popular.

Major companies selling virtual reality headsets provide warnings about how to use the products safely, and recommend keeping small children from using them. Dr. Ryan Ribeira, assistant medical director of the Stanford Emergency Department and founder of SimX, a startup providing VR-based training for doctors, nurses and paramedics, also provided tips to help VR users stay out of emergency rooms.

To keep yourself and your loved ones from getting hurt in the real world while playing in a virtual one, here are recommendations from Ribeira and leading VR headset makers Meta and Sony: