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Many people fear things like being attacked by a shark, struck by lightning, or swept away by a tornado. The good news is that these events are very unlikely to happen. But the bad news is that many mundane and seemingly harmless phenomena are much more dangerous and closer to us than we might imagine, posing a greater threat than the irrational phobias we carry with us.

To learn more about what risks are exactly lurking around us, we asked Bored Panda readers to list some of the things they believe are commonly seen as safe but are actually dangerous. Scroll down to find the most popular answers, and don’t forget to share your own insights below.

#1

“Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous The combination of church and state.

Michael Bain , Debby Hudson / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #2

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous People doing stupid pranks on strangers.... Someone is going to pick the wrong person on the wrong day.

    Sean Riddell , Keira Burton / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    sbj
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pranks were supposed to be funny but nowadays some people think punching strangers in the face and filming it is a prank

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    #3

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Listening to unlicensed influencers, advertisements, politicians/entertainment news folks and Facebook posts in regard to healthcare matters.

    Emily Bellator Withak , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Sue User
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think inluencers should have to have large persistant disclaimers: i am being sponsored by company xxx or i graduated with a marketing degree not a doctor.

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    To find the mundane things that we think are safe but actually aren’t, we don’t have to dig deep. Most of us use them in our daily lives without even realizing it. 

    An independent American laboratory, Valisure, and its dozen scientists over the past five years have discovered potentially cancer-causing chemicals in commonly used medications, hand sanitizers, sunscreens, antiperspirant body sprays, and dry shampoos.

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    #6

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Riding a motorcycle without proper gear, despite the heat.

    Chrissy Towanda Quaghebeur , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    The organization aims to shut down the widely spread misconception that products people buy have been through enough testing to be deemed safe. 

    “Most consumers assume that because it’s for sale, it must be safe,” says Teresa Murray, director at the nonprofit U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). “Oftentimes, that’s very much not true.”

    #7

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Getting your neck “popped” by a chiropractor.

    Cindy Ervin Holmes , Karolina Kaboompics / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Knew a petit lady, about 50, who ended up paralyzed from the neck down and then died from getting her neck cracked.

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    #9

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous A gun that is supposedly not loaded.

    Geoff Schwartz , Pixabay / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Despite common belief, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration isn’t thoroughly analyzing every shampoo or supplement that is available for sale. Interestingly enough, the FDA doesn’t have to approve most cosmetics before they are put on the shelves. Not to mention the effect it will have on our health after years of daily use.

    #10

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Approaching and/or feeding wildlife.

    Amy Roche , Dmitry Demidov / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    catslave6
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Feeding wildlife is even more dangerous than approaching. Feeding means wildlife becomes accustomed to people and unafraid. Ask any wildlife official. In Colorado it is against the law. Wild animals have been feeding themselves for all of history. Human help is not needed and so very dangerous. You endanger everyone when you feed wild animals.

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    Products like sunscreen, hair care, and fragrances are regularly causing concern for scientists. “The more we look [at consumer products], the worse it looks,” says Dr. Megan Schwarzman. However, she adds that it’s not always easy to understand the potential risks caused by some of the chemicals found.

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    #13

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Fireworks.

    Melanie Findley:

    Whoever thinks fireworks are safe is more dangerous than fireworks.

    Joan Sullivan , Rakicevic Nenad / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's literally gunpowder enriched with minerals to give the colours. Here in the Netherlands a fireworks depot that somehow was allowed to exist in city limits blew up years ago. Even with the specially built storage shacks it devastated a huge part of that city and caused enormous grief. And despite a lot of campaigns and cheap safety gear we still get a lot of maimed by their own fireworks people in hospitals on New Years.

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    #14

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Thinking that bears in their backyard are cute when they actually eat people. Also, trying to tease buffalo on the road in Yellowstone.

    Laureli Christensen , Gregory Rogers / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    “There’s lead in pigments in lipstick,” she says. “If you wear lipstick once a month, it’s probably not a big exposure.” But it’s hard to say if wearing it a few times a week is enough to cause health problems over the years or decades. What complicates matters even more is that it’s nearly impossible to isolate which chemicals may pose a threat to our well-being, as we’re constantly exposed to toxins at low concentrations.

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    #16

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Vaping.

    Jacqueline Fooks , Connor Danylenko / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Alexandra
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm afraid that we're on the threshold of an enormous increase in lung diseases among young people.

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    #17

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Driving. It is ranked as the number 1 most dangerous daily activity in the world. Cooking, surprisingly, is 2nd.

    Raz Failagao , Kei Scampa / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Savahax
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lal, cooking and driving are some of my favourite hobbies. I live dangerously 😎

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    #18

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Cycling without a helmet.

    Henna Iso-Kouvola , Blue Bird / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    ZGutr
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not many Dutch share that view. Getting more common but the majority still goes without

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    In a new study released just last month (July 2024), researchers found arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals in 100% of the tampons they tested. However, it’s not yet recognized as a serious health threat, as scientists aren’t sure how absorption in women’s reproductive organs works.

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    #19

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Sleeping with babies in their beds - can turn deadly way too quickly.

    Stefanie Amos , RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It sometimes happens out of sheer tiredness of the parent, it is rarely a voluntary activity.

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    #20

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Going to school in America.

    Esther Ching , Diana / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ouch. But sadly it's true. We have our horrors on this side, mostly with knives, but those would have always ended up worse if the nutcase could have gotten hold of a gun. Knives are dangerous in the hands of crazies, but guns much much more so.

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    Even the water that we consume daily to survive is not completely safe. Bottled H2O that we buy in stores has been found to contain microplastics that may accumulate in the body and cause health issues in the long run. However, as with the chemicals mentioned previously, the health effects of microplastics aren’t yet fully proven. 

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    #22

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Having guns in the home.

    Laura Adams , MIKI Yoshihito / flickr(not the actual photo) Report

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    ColdSteelRonin
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guns are merely tools and like many tools if used improperly can cause unintentional injury or d e a t h. If you have a gun/guns get trained in it's proper use, train regularly (it is a perishable skill) and have a proper mindset about its use

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    The main takeaway here is that we should be more cautious of the things that look the most harmless, not the ones that have a one in 4 million chance of happening, like a shark attack.

    If you're curious to know more, make sure to check out our previous articles on dangerous but completely legal things.

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    #25

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Hiking in the wilderness, visiting National Parks. People think everywhere is Disneyland.

    Sharla Cheney , Oziel Gómez / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Susan
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not the hiking or the wilderness, it's the idiots with no respect for the wilderness or mother nature.

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    #26

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Letting a toddler play with a pill bottle just because it has a child safety cap on it.

    Janine Giroux , SHVETS production / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    #27

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Swimming in any body of water in Florida and Louisiana.

    Kimberly MacDonald Mathis , Alfred GF / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    John Nelson
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not just the gators. There's some gnarly pathogens in that warm water, and dangerous marine life, rip currents, etc. in salt water. Of the two, fresh water is much more dangerous.

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    #28

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Riding horses.
    Gerd Hegge:
    I hate to admit that you might be right (I've been riding for more than 50 years)

    Mijou Line Defaux , Los Muertos Crew / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Horses are huge beasts made of a lot of muscle, that can spook and hurt you if frightened. I also know of a horse that tended to bite people viciously for no apparent reason. (Probably a bad history there) They are big animals, treat them with respect.

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    #29

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Driving with your seat too close to the steering wheel! I see people driving where he wheel is almost touching their chest, that airbag comes out they're dead just from that.

    Shannon Young , Pixabay / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Jeremy James
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm 5'4". The seat and the airbag were not designed for me.

    BarfyCat
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Our organization got a brand new van to drive clients to appointments. Our safety officer took me out to show me how all the gadgets and features worked. I proceed to adjust the seat so I can reach the pedals. He freaks out: "you're too close to the steering wheel! Move back! Move back more, more, more..." Me: "now I can't reach the pedals." The look on his face was priceless, he had no idea!

    The Redhead
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm 5ft even my only option is to have my seat all the way forward.

    UncleJon_TheMadScientist
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or driving with it all the way back and reclined so far you can't see over the dash, and can hardly reach the brake pedal... oh and gluing all that "BLING" on over the airbag cover... just created a bunch of shrapnel when the airbag goes off.

    William Teach
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a big problem, and, then you combine this with women sitting way too upright. Engineers have worked to overcome this to an extent with the head restraints, but, only so much can be done (I work in the business, and a high ranking exec told us things like this)

    James Doe
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Opposite is just as true. Your wrists should touch the steering wheel when your shoulders touch the backrest. Almost noone sits close enough to have enough pressure on the brake pedal for a real emergency stop. I had a great advanced driving safety training once (incl. Drifting, ice, high speed maneuvers etc) and the trainer made us experience the difference in braking when sitting like a fast-and-furious-bro and a real race driver. Easily minus 30-40% breaking distance!

    Lee Henderson
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look up some accidents from when cars had the steering wheel mounted to a steering column. A hole punched through the chest.

    Mike D
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's the original airbag. New ones are no where near as dangerous.

    Donna Peluda
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thats BS, you should drive with you arms flexed. With your back resting on the seat, stretch your arms over the top of the steering wheel and the wrists should be past the wheel.. in the 2 to 10 position your Elbows should be flexed if and when the airbag goes off the seat belts and seat will retract giving the airbags time to cushion the impact. Peole who drive with their arms stretched have no control when the need to do a swift corrections to avoid an obstacle. That's why you see so many people crash because the over correct and induced an oscilacion because they are too far from the wheel.

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    #30

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Giving birth. It didn’t seem that scary when I did it, I had complete faith I would be fine, but watching someone you love do it is terrifying.

    Jennifer White , Jonathan Borba / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    #32

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Allergies.

    Alia Cadre , cottonbro studio cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Kimberly Ellison
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Huge upvote on this. I never knew how deadly until I suddenly developed chronic hives/anaphylaxis at age 35. I now have to take a medication. 1x every 28 days or risk anaphylaxis. It's idiopathic or unknown origin. It's not alot of fun

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    #33

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Plastic surgery or any surgery really.

    Tanya FaginAldrich , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm well aware there is always a non zero chance of deletion when in an operation. Remember that general anasthesia is kind of the science of almost but not quite poisoning you to death and then reviving you after. Not saying people aren't good at it, but it is a dangerous thing.

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    #37

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Children playing with remotes. Batteries are lethal.

    Jodie Lynne Howell , Ketut Subiyanto / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Button batteries are the most dangerous. Because you might not know your kid swallowed it until it's too late. Children have died when those batteries burned holes inside their esophagus. Make sure you keep track of anything that has them if you have a baby/toddler.

    #38

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous The ocean! Sharks, riptides, high tide, low tide, jelly fish so many dangers. But I still go in to the point I get whistled at by life guards. One day a sharks going to get me. But I go to the beach like once every few years so.

    Loren Orts , Elianne Dipp / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Owen
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The sharks are unlikely to 'get' you, but the water can at any moment.

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    #39

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Skydiving.

    Debbie Davis Robacker , Tom Fisk / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Fat Harry (Oi / You)
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Things people think are safe that are actually dangerous"? Who thinks skydiving is completely safe?

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    #40

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous A deer! Not just because they run in front of your car (or into it sometimes), but if you meet them in the woods, they are likely to hurt you.

    Julie Moore Critten , Aaron J Hill / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    #42

    “Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 42 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous Tampons.

    Lisa Juanita Dos Santos , Karolina Kaboompics / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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    Learner Panda
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If properly used, tampons are100% safe. The trouble arises when they are not removed at the end of the period. Appropriate absorbency is key too.

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