Pokemon Go app users in South Lake Tahoe, and around the world

The new craze "Pokémon GO" has become the top grossing app for smart phones, and its only been a few days since it was released. South Lake Tahoe isn't immune to to the popularity of this geocaching game where you find and capture Pokémon characters at various locations in the community.

Warning though, it can be harmful to your health, or safety.

The reality game places the player into the physical world by using their phone’s GPS and camera, turning their location into a massive hunting ground for the iconic creatures. According to the Associated Press, players already have reported wiping out in a variety of ways as they wander the real world — eyes glued to their smartphone screens — in search of digital monsters. Forbes wrote that android users of the app are about to surpass Twitter.

The problem lies with the user keeping their eyes on the screen, and not what is in front of them.

Pokémon GO uses your phone’s GPS and camera to turn the real world into a massive hunting ground for the iconic creatures, but it also transforms local landmarks and businesses into Pokémon Gyms.

Users start moving through an area to local landmarks called Pokestops in the game. There they gather supplies which will be used to "fling" in order to capture other Pokemon. The Pokémon battle each other for supremacy at the "gyms."

Local businesses in the country are tailoring their marketing around the app, though this hasn't been utilized yet in South Lake Tahoe to our knowledge. Businesses can download the app, and become Pokestops, offer discounts to game players, and other creative ways to capitalize on the 5.6% of smart phone users already having, and using, the app.

Naturally, the game has also induced people to post pictures of themselves on social media chasing creatures in all sorts of dangerous situations.

In O'Fallon, Missouri, the Police Department posted on their Facebook page this weekend that suspects in an armed robbery targeted their victims through the Pokemon Go smart phone application.

Players can actually meet face-to-face at Pokestops, so caution is urged for children playing the game and for adults to use caution.

At the Lake Tahoe Museum on Saturday, the app led a visitor inside to have a look around before leaving on more of his journey. He said he logged 12 km the prior day with the app.

If using Pokemon Go, remember to look where you're walking, especially when crossing streets.