"The Risk Of Injury Or Death Is Just Not Worth It": 19 Seemingly Safe But Actually Dangerous Things We Dumb Humans Do All The Time
Content warning: Graphic descriptions of death.
Every day, a freak accident can strike from seemingly innocent decisions, like forgetting to turn off the hair curler, using a chair as a ladder, or looking at your phone while crossing the street.
Yet, somehow, we keep doing these things, even when we know better. Here are 19 more seemingly harmless (but actually pretty dangerous) things we silly humans do all the time:
1."Slicing a frozen bagel (or other food item) so that it can go in the toaster, air fryer, etc. As a licensed occupational therapist for more than 25 years, I can't tell you how many patients I've seen with tendon injuries (which required surgery) and weeks of therapy. Please put down the knife!!"
—Anonymous
2."My husband and I were truckers for 13 years traveling across the country, and I was appalled at how drivers of passenger vehicles constantly ignored traffic laws and endangered everyone's lives. Vehicles would pull out in front of us and then quickly make a turn, causing us to stand on the truck's brakes so we wouldn't hit that vehicle. Do people know big trucks carry around 200 gallons of diesel fuel onboard? Diesel is one of the most flammable fuels on earth. If a big truck hits you and a fire breaks out, you're dead, along with the truck driver and any other vehicles that get involved."
"Give trucks space. Don't ride next to the end of the trailer or be too close behind trucks, as we can't see you there. Don't pull up or past the white line at stop lights and signs. Trucks need that space beyond the line to turn. Let trucks over and be courteous, as most truck drivers are. Remember, big trucks weigh 80 thousand pounds, and your car weighs 3500 pounds on average. It takes much longer for trucks to stop. So, wait that extra five seconds for a tractor-trailer to pass before pulling out onto the roadway. Without big trucks, you would go hungry, be naked, and without medication."
—Anonymous
3.Similarly, "Tailgating semis! My father was a heavy equipment contractor, and when he taught me to drive, that was one thing he pounded into my head. They can't stop on a dime, and you won't win the battle. I was behind one a decade or so after I got my license in my brand new car going to work. A semi ahead of me was too tall for the freeway overpass, and it hit the bridge; parts of the truck hit the pavement and bounced up, slamming the hood, windshield, and over the car to smash the trunk. I was holding back because of Dad and the good sense he taught me. The police that responded said had I been any closer I would have been decapitated."
—Anonymous
4.And lastly, on the topic of semis, "When driving down the highway do not ever get in the tractor-trailer driver's 'blind spot.' If you can't see the driver of the vehicle in his mirror, then he can't see you, so he could change lanes and come over on you. So don't ever ride on the side of a tractor-trailer or other large vehicles with limited sight. Also, do not pull up beside a big truck that is getting ready to make a wide turn because, as before, they can not see you. So drive smart and be safe."
–Anonymous
5."Don't ignore one doctor telling you to see a specialist. Especially if you're 'up in years.' You need someone who will know the specifics. When you don't need them anymore, they will tell you!"
—Anonymous
6."Not replacing the batteries for or not having smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms working in the home."
—Anonymous
7."Cooking in pajamas, robes or sleepwear. This is a bit outdated, as safety standards have changed...but many old robes and pajamas are not flame-resistant (like polyester). Read the labels, double-check the products you're buying, and use extreme caution (especially if you have loved ones like my grandmother, who still wears her robe from 1974). I'll never forget the incinerated woman I had on my gurney because she cooked over the stove in her robe and went up in flames (in an instant)."
—Anonymous
8."Cleaning anything with flammable liquids, especially INDOORS. PILOTLIGHTS AND OPEN FLAMES ARE EVERYWHERE. One cup of gasoline generates energy equivalent to [14] sticks of dynamite."
9."If your car overheats do NOT pop the hood and remove the radiator cap! As a burn nurse, I've seen countless people with scald burns from this, often requiring weeks of in-hospital care."
—Anonymous
10."Nurse here. Four-wheelers/quads. Almost every young paraplegic or quadriplegic I have taken care of received their life-altering injuries due to a quad accident. Not motorcycles, not cars. Four-wheelers."
—Anonymous
11."Pulling the car over to the side of the interstate to change drivers."
—Anonymous
12."Not educating and advocating for yourself when it comes to your medications. Ask about drug interactions. Ask about side effects. Ask about long-term repercussions. Especially when visiting an ER or walk-in! Sometimes, immediate care just patches problems. Always advocate for yourself!"
—Anonymous
13."Biting or picking your nails. You could get a serious infection. I stopped before I could get there, but I remember at one point, my whole nail was halfway gone, red, and swollen. A friend I know had to go to the ER from nail biting."
—Anonymous
14."Low head dams, also known as 'drowning machines.' They are the little dams you see across rivers that folks often swim or kayak near. They can be hard to see from upstream and are extremely difficult to escape. Even professional rescuers have been known to unfortunately get caught and drown in them."
"Just this year in my town, we've had three drownings around a small dam. A couple of years back, five people in a family drowned in a tubing accident over a low-head dam. Those things are no joke, and you absolutely shouldn't swim anywhere near them."
—Anonymous
15."Running/walking/exercising in public alone and with both AirPods in and blaring. I walk daily and can't think of a better way to end up hit by a car or dragged into the bushes. As a construction worker for two decades, it's the lack of situational awareness for me. Some of you are like, 'I HAVE to have music blaring to get my workout,' so too will your family 'have' to make arrangements for you when you don't hear the danger coming for you. Keep your head on a swivel, as they say in the industry."
—Anonymous
16."Freaking going up to wild animals. I live next to the Smoky Mountains, and I see people walking up to freaking bears or trying to feed them. Yeah, they're not the same bears as the Rocky Mountains, but have you ever seen a fully grown adult bear claw up close? They'll rip you to shreds. Leave the damn wildlife alone."
–Anonymous
Similarly, "DON'T GET OUT OF THE CAR TO TAKE PICTURES OR GET CLOSE TO BISON. They may seem docile, but they will mess you up instantly. Those guys are sturdy and strong as hell. DON'T PET THE FLUFFY COWS."
17."My dad's best friend is an orthopedic surgeon. He says it's amazing how completely common catastrophic injuries occur because somebody used a lawnmower so improperly."
18."Never ride a bicycle without a helmet. I used to do it all the time until I started working in the ER. I've seen skull fractures and brain injuries from people not wearing a helmet while on the bike trail and hitting something as small as a rock. I've pestered my entire family about this as well. You don't look cool when you don't wear a helmet. The risk of permanent injury or death is just not worth it."
19.And finally, "An important note for bike helmets: if you get into a crash and you and the helmet are unharmed, get rid of the helmet. They are normally one-time use. Once they have made an impact, they are weakened and can fall apart on the next crash. Even if it looks fine, it's definitely not gonna protect you in the second go-round."
Do you agree with these? Or, do you have any others to add? Let me know in the comments or by submitting at this anonymous form.
Note: Some responses have been edited for length, accuracy, and/or clarity.
