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We all strive to lead healthy lives, but sometimes, even the most innocent aspects of our everyday routine can be detrimental to our well-being.
In this article, we will be discussing 25 things that seem harmless but could be jeopardizing your life.
Let’s explore these unseen menaces and how to protect ourselves from them.
#1. Throwing Someone in the Pool
Throwing someone into a pool can seem like a good bit of fun. Chances are that most people have either done it themselves or had it done to them.
Of course, what you don’t hear as often are all the accidents surrounding these events.
Throwing someone in the pool can easily lead to drowning, hitting parts of their body on the cement near the pool, or breaking something by completely missing the water.
Put simply, don’t do anything to someone that could put them at risk.
#2. Social Media Challenges
As social media has exploded and younger and younger generations have joined various platforms, we’re seeing increased social media challenges.
Some challenges, like the Ice Bucket Challenge, are safe and for a good cause.
Others, however, could put a child’s life in danger or cause them to engage in behavior that is harmful to others.
These might seem like small pranks initially, but they can quickly build up to something drastically altering someone’s life.
Avoiding social media challenges involving dangerous materials or unknowing participants is always best.
#3. Eating Raw Or Undercooked Kidney Beans
Never eat raw or uncooked kidney beans. They contain an unusually high concentration of a chemical called phytohaemagglutinin, which causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.
The good news is boiling the beans destroys this chemical.
And just to be clear, canned beans are safe to eat right out of the can as they were cooked before being canned. It’s the beans that come in bags you need to worry about.
#4. Drinking Grapefruit Juice
Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice for breakfast is a daily ritual for millions of people.
But for those on certain medications, including depression, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, grapefruit juice can be deadly.
If you are prescribed any medication and enjoy grapefruit, check with your doctor if it is safe to continue eating.
#5. Garage Door Springs
We take for granted that all it takes is pushing a button to open or close our garage door.
But lurking in the mechanics is a deadly secret: the springs.
The springs and pulleys are under extreme tension, and if something breaks, serious injury or even death can occur.
This is why it is wise to inspect your springs and cables visually and call a professional if something looks amiss.
#6. Using Dull Knives
Using any knife always carries the risk of cutting or slicing yourself. However, dull knives may be worse than sharper products.
While it may seem counterintuitive, dull knives are much more challenging, and you may hurt yourself trying to accomplish the most basic tasks.
Sharp knives, on the other hand, cut and chop smoothly. This prevents you from trying to saw at cuts of meat or pulling your dull knife out of an onion mid-chop.
A dull knife doesn’t make for a good knife, and it is often far more trouble than it’s worth.
#7. Cleaning the House
Unless you use all-natural products, you know that the bulk of the materials you use to clean your house contains some chemical mixture.
When used alone, these products are highly effective at tackling whatever messes, stains, or built-on residue you have.
However, specific mixes of these products can be deadly. Take, for example, ammonia and bleach.
Mixing the two can release toxic gases that affect your eyes and airways. If you’re exposed to it long enough, there’s even the potential for this mix to cause death.
Always be aware of what you’re cleaning with, and never combine products unless you’ve thoroughly researched what could happen.
#8. Feeding Your Dogs Human Food
Having a dog means feeding it only the best. There may be a specific type of dry food or wet food that we’re in love with.
However, when they’re giving us those eyes, it can be easy to give them a specific type of food they’re not accustomed to eating.
Most owners are aware of the toxicity of chocolate. But did you know that seemingly less harmful foods like grapes can be toxic to dogs?
You also need to consider the potential for larger chunks of food to block the airway or the digestive tract. If you’re feeding your dog food, try to stick to food dedicated to dogs.
#9. Taking Too Much OTC Medication
People consider over-the-counter medication safer because you don’t need a prescription.
As a result, some people may take too much to get rid of whatever ailment they’re dealing with.
Then, there’s the issue of some medications being sneakier.
For example, some cold and flu medications may have extremely high amounts of acetaminophen. Take too much and you could be dealing with liver toxicity.
Always take OTC medication as directed, even if you feel comfortable taking more.
#10. Picking Wild Flowers
Going out in nature is an excellent way to relax and unwind. You may even pick some flowers while you’re out and about.
But while this is a very innocent activity, it can still be quite harmful. A lot of people can’t tell harmless flowers from more dangerous types.
For example, do you know if you’re picking wolfsbane, hemlock, or deadly nightshade? Even touching some of these plants can pose a massive risk to your health.
If you take flowers, berries, or anything else from nature, properly identify them first!
#11. Not Cleaning Out Your Lint Trap
Many have an “it’s never happened to me” mentality. This can be quite dangerous, especially in situations like this.
Lint traps capture lint that comes off of your laundry. However, they are not meant to store it over time.
Combine the hot conditions of your dryer with the highly flammable qualities of your lint, and you’re looking at a disaster waiting to happen (even if it hasn’t happened yet).
You should also clean vents and other areas, as a lint fire can spread quickly.
#12. Driving With Your Hand On Top Of The Steering Wheel
Most of us were taught to drive with our hands at 10 and 2 o’clock on the steering wheel.
While we did this to pass our driving exam, most of us don’t drive this way now.
For some, their favorite position is with their hand on top of the wheel at 12 o’clock.
This position might look cool, but it can be deadly. Should you get into a front-end accident and the airbag goes off, the force of the airbag will send your fist into your forehead.
And if you don’t think this is an issue, take a look at some photos, and you’ll realize this is a serious issue.
The best place to put your hands is on the side of the wheel, directly across from one another.
#13. Walking Or Driving Through Moving Water
Seeing a flooded street with a small amount of water looks harmless. But is it really?
What many people don’t realize is that a mere six inches of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet.
If you are in your car, as little as 12 inches can carry you away. For SUVs, this increases to 24 inches.
So while the flooded street might not look deep, know that if it is moving, it could be deadly.
#14. Oil Painting in a Poorly-Ventilated Space
Certain types of art supplies are toxic. This includes oil paints. Oil paints have hazardous fumes that you shouldn’t be breathing in for an extended period.
However, those new to painting may paint in a confined space without ventilation. This could easily affect their health.
Always do deep research on any art medium to learn the crucial safety tips before working on that type of art yourself.
#15. Walking on Train Tracks
We see it plenty in TV shows or movies. Someone’s going along train tracks, only to move out of the way in plenty of time because they hear an oncoming train.
What many don’t know is that this isn’t quite realistic. There are plenty of people who can attest to the fact that trains are surprisingly quiet.
If you love to explore the outdoors, you might not hear the train coming until it’s too late. You wouldn’t walk in the middle of the road, so you shouldn’t walk on train tracks!
#16. Jumping Around on a Netless Trampoline
Trampolines are loads of fun for younger children. In fact, you likely have a business around town for children to jump around on trampolines.
Many of these products have nets to prevent someone from accidentally jumping off (or at least catching them so they don’t fly out).
However, there are plenty of netless trampolines around. You can only imagine what comes next when you combine a fearless child with a product that won’t always catch them when they fall.
#17. Animal Bites (Even From Ones You Own)
Imagine you get bitten by your cat. It’s relatively common, so you don’t think much about it.
In reality, there’s an infection brewing just underneath the surface that may require serious medical treatment later on.
Most of us don’t believe that animal bites are all that serious, especially if they’re from our pets.
However, you never know when bacteria and other contaminants will enter these wounds.
These can put you in harm’s way, so you must clean these wounds properly and seek medical attention if you need it.
#18. Putting Your Feet Up on the Dashboard
Resting your feet as a passenger in the front seat doesn’t seem like a big deal.
After all, on a road trip, you’re much more likely to feel comfortable when you’re alternating between keeping your feet down on the floor and resting them stretched on the dashboard.
The problem? Doing so can lead to more severe injuries if you get in an accident, with many having severe leg trauma that could significantly impact the rest of their lives.
Always keep your legs where they belong!
#19. Self-Diagnosing a Mental Illness
Self-diagnosis of various mental disorders in recent years has exploded. This is due to a greater awareness of mental disorders and the community’s growth surrounding certain conditions.
While self-diagnosing can sometimes be a good thing, it’s not always.
Many mental health disorders or behavioral disorders share similar symptoms, and these can even be behaviors that the average person experiences.
If someone self-diagnoses without getting an actual diagnosis, it could lead them to believe they’re experiencing something they’re not.
This situation can worsen if someone starts medicating to deal with it. Always reach out to a mental health professional if you believe you’re dealing with something you need support with.
#20. Inhaling Helium
Most everyone has inhaled helium from balloons to give themselves a hilariously high-pitched voice. However, what few know is that it can quickly go wrong.
The most significant risk is the fact that helium robs you of oxygen. You could severely impact your body if you inhale helium without getting any oxygen.
There’s also the risk that the balloon itself could be lined with a chemical that is dangerous to inhale and swallow. Even if it seems tempting, don’t do it!
#21. Touching Wild Animals That Look Safe
From the blue-ringed octopus to the average stray on the street, we all have an innate desire to pet something that we perceive as cute.
However, just because something is small or familiar doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe.
You could be bitten, leading to issues like being poisoned, getting rabies, or even worse.
You could also be stung, stabbed, or any other number of things you would never suspect from a smaller animal. Never approach anything unfamiliar, even if it seems safe to get close to.
#22. Playing on the Stairs
The more we become accustomed to something, the less scary it becomes. Younger individuals who get down the stairs in whacky ways might not be worried about having an accident as they go down.
But it absolutely happens. A minor trip could lead to a big fall that might cause several broken bones. Always be safe on stairs, holding the handrail and walking down the steps cautiously.
#23. Having Food Before a Procedure
Some advice we receive sounds strange, especially when it’s medical. If you’ve had surgery, your doctor may tell you before the procedure.
This is for a good reason. Doing so could cause you to regurgitate the food and choke in the middle of surgery.
Even if something sounds harmless, it’s always best to follow the advice of medical professionals.
#24. Using Ladders
Ladders are a recipe for disaster. One wrong step and you end up with a broken leg or worse.
While ladders are a requirement in some situations, you must take the proper steps to protect yourself.
The two best options are to ensure the ladder is on level ground and have a second person holding the ladder.
While this won’t prevent all accidents, it can reduce the odds tremendously.
#25. Texting Co-Workers After Drinking
Sometimes, funny moments come from having too many drinks and texting your friends.
But if you instead text some of your co-workers, it could lead to a world of trouble.
Not only could you say some inappropriate things, but things could also be taken the wrong way.
The result is you getting reprimanded or, worse, losing your job.
As tempting as reaching out to a co-worker might be, you are better off waiting until the morning when you can think things through.
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Jon Dulin is the passionate leader of Unfinished Success, a personal development website that inspires people to take control of their own lives and reach their full potential. His commitment to helping others achieve greatness shines through in everything he does. He’s an unstoppable force with lots of wisdom, creativity, and enthusiasm – all focused on helping others build a better future. Jon enjoys writing articles about productivity, goal setting, self-development, and mindset. He also uses quotes and affirmations to help motivate and inspire himself. You can learn more about him on his About page.