ADVERTISEMENT

The beauty of youth is such that we think we have forever to live and often go about our daily lives without knowing that, sometimes, life can be short. In fact, humans are actually much more fragile than we think and it can all end within the blink of an eye because of numerous things.

When Reddit user StarSpectore asked people to list everyday, harmless things that are actually fatally harmful, folks couldn't hold back. You might have heard about some of these, but others will leave you stunned. Curious to know them all? Just scroll down and check them out!

More info: Reddit

#1

Dentist performing a procedure, using tools on a patient. Infected tooth. Many people may ignore it due to the cost of going to the dentist, but the proximity of your teeth to the brain, neck sinuses, etc. can cause the infections to spread quickly into your head and cause Encephalitis which is often deadly.

MarshmallowMan631 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

Add photo comments
POST
Bi.Felicia
Community Member
Premium
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tooth infections can also cause issues with your heart, if left untreated.

View more commentsArrow down menu
RELATED:
    #2

    Hands on a car steering wheel, with a mounted phone visible. Everyday things appearing harmless while driving. Obvious but sure doesn't seem like it from people's behavior but driving. Be safe. Go with the speed of traffic, use turn signals, practice defensive driving, use seatbelts.

    DaBiChef , Peter Fazekas Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Libstak
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most important, dont be distracted. When you are driving, focus on your driving and stay aware of the road and your surroundings. Situational awareness and being alert is your best chance of avoiding accidents by noticing other drivers behaviour and general driving conditions.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #3

    Pregnant woman in a gray sweater, hands on belly, standing in soft light, illustrating seemingly harmless everyday things. Pregnancy.

    PumpkinFuzzy4799 , freestocks.org Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    PeepPeep the duck
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ectopics 😂 I wish they taught them in sex ed. I never would have done it. Scary experience (I was 16). And my little sister has some gene that makes her so sick she almost dies every pregnancy and needs steroids and meds

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    As you go through the list, some of these things might raise your eyebrows because of how mundane they sound and you might do them every day, without knowing how lethal they are. Well, we will be discussing some of these things that might come as a shock to you.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    For instance, slipping in the shower. In fact, every year, about 235,000 people over the age of 15 suffer from falls in the bathroom and visit the emergency room, with 37.3% being related to bathing or showering. As trivial as a bathroom sounds, it looks like it can be one of the most dangerous places in the house, doesn't it?

    #4

    Physiotherapist adjusts woman's neck, illustrating seemingly harmless everyday things that might pose risks. Cervical (neck adjustment) from a careless chiropractor. They can too easily tear one of the 4 main arteries that form the Circle of Willis at the base of your brain case causing a hemorrhagic stroke. I worked for a neurologist for several years as a nurse. Not always deadly but can be. Saw several 20 somethings lose the ability to speak as well. Scary stuff.

    Ambitious_Doubt_1101 , Kaboompics.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Karl der Große
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also dangerous? Cervical adjustment from a careful chiropractor! It's never safe to have some quack yanking on your neck.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Workers in hard hats and overalls installing a garage door, illustrating that everyday things might seem harmless but could be dangerous. The spring on a garage door.

    More-Sock-67 , volodymyr_vorona Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Extension springs aren't so hazardous (provided the door is up and secured in place) but torsion springs are not to be trifled with.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #6

    Feet dangling over a cliff edge above the ocean, illustrating a potentially dangerous everyday activity. Taking selfies on the edges of cliffs and leaning further out than necessary , when I went to Yellowstone it seemed many people weren’t aware that can get you [dead].

    Embarrassed-File-836 , Wondearthful Report

    Another thing that might shock you is a selfie. Research suggests that humanity takes 5.3 billion photos every day or 61,400 each second. That's equal to 1.94 trillion in 2024. We live in a time and age where people want to gram everything and create an attractive feed for their followers. Well, because of this need to gram everything, people even lose their lives.

    Most selfie-related fatalities occur in India, Russia, the United States, and Pakistan. It has been observed that these demises take place at coastal locations, especially cliffs, and nearly three-quarters of those who passed away were men. Looking at the insane statistics makes you question what goes on behind the camera or the feed and whether it's really worth it if you are not even alive to "enjoy the likes, comments, and shares".

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Person with bandaged head and brown sweater, holding their head, illustrating potential danger from everyday things. A head injury. Please get checked out by a professional!

    cuntmagistrate , Kaboompics.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This has been medically researched, and found to be more of a problem than previously believed.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #8

    A woman using a microwave in a kitchen, illustrating how everyday things might seem harmless. Poking around inside the electronics of a microwave.

    psyclopsus , freepik Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    WindySwede
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never open up a micro! Even ElectroBoom would probably not 😬😅

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Eye drop packaging on a laptop, showcasing everyday items that might seem harmless. People think that Visine added to a drink will cause diarrhea.  Popular sitcoms and medical procedurals have even alluded to this.  That’s false.  Visine added to a drink can seizures, cardio vascular collapse, coma, and death.  It’s not to be played with.   .

    scottsmith_brownsbur , yoppy Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never heard of them or that effect, but these are eye drops. Never drink anything medicinal that isn't meant to be drunk, very simple.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    One person also mentioned driving in the list, while another one spoke about texting while driving, and both are actually quite dangerous if you think about it. Research states that in 2021, distracted driving due to texting was a significant factor in road accidents, leading to 3,522 fatalities and approximately 362,415 injuries.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Some people also spoke about medical issues like head injuries or an infected tooth. While medical reasons for someone's passing might be common, we would never think about taking an infected tooth seriously. Before the development of modern dentistry, tooth infections were a common cause of fatality. In fact, until 1908, 10 – 40 percent of tooth infections led to folks passing away.

    #10

    Drainpipe releasing water into a ditch, illustrating how everyday things might seem harmless but could be dangerous. Differential pressure

    Most people don't know anything about it but it's what happens when you decide to clear something like drain pipe by hand to prevent an area from flooding / continuing to flood and when you do it creates a suction that you cannot escape so you drown when the water continues to rise and you cannot escape because your arm is stuck in the pipe that the water should be using to drain.

    I usually read about differential pressure injuries in the scuba world when an untrained diver thinks they can clear a drain and once they get stuck (at the bottom of a swimming pool for instance) they run out of air and die but this happens outside of scuba too so it's worth knowing about.

    TL;DR: Think twice before clearing a drain and use the right tools when you do.

    imwear , Joseph Russo Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ΔP is not to be trifled with. If you have a particularly strong stomach, google the Byford Dolphin Incident.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #11

    Woman gesturing refusal towards a glass of water, highlighting seemingly harmless everyday dangers. Going cold turkey if you have a drinking problem.

    Magormgo , cottonbro studio Report

    #12

    Driver in a car, distracted by looking at a phone, illustrating a potentially harmful everyday thing. Texting/filming while driving 🤦‍♀️.

    RefrigeratorOk5465 , Hassan OUAJBIR Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Doing anything other than 100% concentrate on driving has the potential to be fatal. Passengers need to be aware of this too - and regardless of your domestic dynamic, the driver is in absolute charge of what happens to and within the vehicle.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Another statistic that might shock you is how many women pass away because of pregnancies. According to the latest UN global estimates, 303,000 women a year pass away in childbirth, or as a result of complications arising from pregnancy. This equates to about 830 women's lives ending each day – roughly one every two minutes.

    However, with development, this figure is much better, because in 1990, an estimated 532,000 women passed annually, so there has been a 44% drop in a generation. Despite the progress, the scary fact still remains that women do pass away and they need to be cared for more during pregnancies.

    #13

    A woman in a bathroom smiling and applying a skincare product to her arm, highlighting everyday things that might seem harmless. Slipping in a shower.

    Odd-Establishment527 , Sarah Chai Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Michelle C
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    70% or so of household accidents happen in a bathroom, if I remember correctly, usually from slipping in a shower or falling off of a toilet!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #14

    A moose crossing a road near a driveway sign, highlighting everyday things that might seem harmless but could be dangerous. Hitting a moose while driving a car. The hood hits their legs and the huge mass of their body smashes the windshield crushing you.

    No_Capital_8203 , Gabe Pierce Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    "Blurry view of an empty swimming pool through a fence, highlighting potential everyday hazards." Swimming in a pound or abandoned pool, those bacteria will result in death within 48hrs, even if you’re in the hospital in time.

    Alejandra_rays , Ariel Paredes Report

    When I think about all the things out there that can instantly get to me and send me to the gallows, it definitely freaks me out. I guess, all one can do is be extra cautious, and not let the fear of everything consume you. Well, that's it from our end.

    Now we want to hear from you. What did you make of it? Also, if you think about anything else that our list might have missed, feel free to jot it down in the comments below. Finally, just a gentle reminder, stay alert, stay safe, and look out for yourself!

    #16

    Tylenol box on a bedside table, suggesting everyday items might be harmful. Acetaminophen. People treat Tylenol like a harmless general-purpose medicine but something like 1600 Americans suffer liver failure from it every year. Use sparingly, never use while drinking.

    Tokens_Only , Erik Mclean Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sue User
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thisis why i hate that hospitals routinely try to give you tylenol. No, i am not allergic, i have just had enough today/ this week.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #17

    Close-up of an emu, illustrating how everyday things might seem harmless but can be unexpectedly dangerous. An ostrich. Those f*****s can disembowel with a kick.

    Reptar_Cookies , John Rocha Report

    #18

    Children's sand play with a blue bucket and red shovel on a beach. Harmless appearance but potentially dangerous. Digging holes at the beach. Happens every summer.

    Complete-Return3860 , Pixabay Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Captive
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm traumatized by this ever since SpongeBob's bubble friend let that one guy drown

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    A herd of deer standing in a snowy forest, potentially harmful if startled. Large herbivores. They’ve evolved defenses to make large predators rethink their life choices. They will mess you up.

    BlissBreeze_ , Anthony 🙂 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A gentle and timid deer can be lethal under the right circumstances.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    Medical professional examines MRI scans, highlighting potential dangers of everyday things. A ruptured brain aneurysm. It’s a silent [death].. most people don’t even know they have one until it bursts, causing instant unconsciousness or death. Scary how something so small can be so deadly.

    Jennyespi71 , Anna Shvets Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Captive
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think we all know what this is and nobody thinks this is harmless

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #21

    Person in gloves and mask cleaning surface with spray, illustrating everyday things that might seem harmless. Mixing ammonia and chlorine.

    CrushinSandoz , freepik Report

    #22

    Spiral wooden staircase with a concrete railing, highlighting a potentially dangerous everyday element. Falling down stairs.

    Waterkippie , Jimmy Chan Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I fell UP the stairs (outdoor ones that are concrete) yesterday. I missed a step and went down on my knee. It looks awful today. :(

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #23

    Whale tail splashing in ocean, a reminder of seemingly harmless things with potential danger. Being in the water near a "singing" blue whale. They're loud enough to knock you unconscious - which can cause you to drown.

    CaffeinatedHBIC , Daniel Ross Report

    #24

    High voltage power lines against a clear blue sky, highlighting potential everyday dangers. You’d think power lines would be obvious but you would be blown away with the amount of people that think power lines carry the same voltage and amperage that a house outlet does. I’ve seen cops, ems and regular civilians out walking around downed lines that are still energized with no earthly idea that one step closer could [end] you.

    SouthOfHeaven663 , Miguel Á. Padriñán Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Brother is a lineman, far braver than I am. But yeah, he has some stories. He said the only good thing is you won't know if you become part of the circuit.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #25

    Caution sign warning of alligators by a body of water, advising no swimming or feeding animals; everyday danger. Living in Florida, for tourists it’s swimming in lakes invaded by gators.

    Karla_dream45 , Hampton Lamoureux Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Charles McChristy
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, no. Gator attacks are very rare here, nor did the gators "invade" the lakes. They were here long before us.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    Close-up of a green circuit board, illustrating how everyday electronics might seem harmless but pose hidden dangers. Capacitors. don't let your children dismantle electronics.

    Daxian , Pixabay Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The first thing to teach your future engineer is how to safely discharge a capacitor, and how to differentiate high voltage circuitry from low voltage circuitry.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    Rusty red car on a trailer, illustrating how everyday things might seem harmless but could be dangerous. Towing lines of all sorts, if they snap and you're on their way you're not surviving that.

    I always thought everyone one knows that, but in the last few years I saw a lot of people standing 1-2 away from the lines/chains pulled by tractors/excavators trying to rescue some other vehicle or pull something heavy.

    CookiePolska , Mike Bird Report

    #28

    Woman inside a large box, pressing against the top, representing a potentially dangerous everyday scenario. Enclosed spaces, specifically enclosed spaces filled with any gas that is either toxic on its own or that simply displaces the oxygen in the space.

    Enclosed spaces filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen, helium, argon, etc. are especially dangerous because you'll pass out from hypoxia before you even realize something is wrong. Our bodies don't alert us to lack of oxygen; it's the buildup of carbon dioxide that makes us feel like we're suffocating. In an oxygen poor atmosphere where we can still expel CO2, we'll happily keep breathing until we quickly pass out and die shortly thereafter.

    MrBarraclough , MART PRODUCTION Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    Person holding freshly dug potatoes, hands covered in dirt; everyday things that might seem harmless. The fumes coming from a rotten bag of potatoes.

    7hom , Shiwa Yachachin Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Atom Bohr
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not sure about this, but don't eat green or sprouting potatoes. They produce glycoalkaloids which don't break down when cooked.

    Hidalgo
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s why 16th Century Europeans first thought all potatoes were poisonous

    Jeff Hunt
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You would need to seal yourself in the bag to concentrate the gases enough to injure yourself.

    MadRatter
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rotten otatoes smell really, really bad... Almost worse than rotten eggs, imo

    Ece Cenker
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Budding potatoes are carcinogen. Do not eat them. Do not cut out the greening part and eat the potatoes, either. Just pass.

    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only fumes that could potentially be fatal in this scenario are carbon dioxide because of a poorly ventilated cellar. Nothing to do with potatoes, per se. Glycoalkoloids are often abbreviated to "gas" in scientific literature. I think someone without much scientific knowledge has read this and run with it - in the wrong direction.

    Jaguarundi
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the reason for that tiny door through the back door of a semi-tractor freight container. the little door allows the gases to escape if any of the load goes rotten during transit.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    How important is it to you to spread awareness about hidden dangers?

    Very important, you never know!

    Only somewhat, most are hard to encounter

    Not very, these are probably impossible to happen in the wild

    I think dangers are very rarely "hidden"