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50 Extremely Dangerous Things We All Do Without Thinking
Interview With Expert
We rarely stop to think how some of our everyday habits could land us in the ER. But the truth is, some “harmless” things, like standing on a wobbly chair or skipping that seatbelt “just this once,” can go wrong in a flash. It’s easy to brush off risks with a “nothing’s happened before” mindset… until something does.
Today, we’ve compiled posts from people answering one serious question: “What’s something surprisingly dangerous most people overlook?” It’s not about fear; it’s about being smart. A tiny slip or careless habit could mean stitches, splints, or worse. Keep scrolling, and maybe rethink that next risky shortcut!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Science denial. It's not just a "difference of opinion"; it's ignoring facts, and it gets people k**led.
RELATED:
#2
Bullying someone. Students will commit s*****e if they're bullied too much beyond limit.
Dr Jimmy 03 4 months ago
It's okay to tell an adult that someone is being bullied, even if the recipient is not your friend. Because now, the bully will have two people reporting her. Or, him. Or, them.
#3
Driving.
So many people act like they are invincible and it's scary to think about. Daily, I see people texting, watching movies, putting on makeup, it is absolutely insane.
My cousin lost her arm in a car wreck. My brother was k****d when his friend lost control of the car and slammed head first into a utility pole. My childhood friend was k****d going 75 mph in a head on collision on the highway because a drunk was going the wrong way at 4am. It was an open casket, it haunts me to this day.
Just today I saw a kid cut off 4 cars because they couldn't wait 30 seconds for the protected turn, and my wife's boss was in a wreck this morning (the other guy thought stop signs were a suggestion) on his way to work and had to go to the hospital (he is fine).
You are literally driving a 1.5 ton death machine. People need to act more responsible.
BrownEyedPanda 4 months ago
What's even worse? The idiots who believe that they're faster than a speeding bullet--at railroad crossings. At least twice I've seen a motorist narrowly avoid getting turned into potted meat because they tried to go around the gates. If you're in a hurry to see God, there are much more pleasant ways to arrange the meeting.
Whether you’re hiking through the woods or splashing around in the sea, one thing stays constant: safety doesn’t take a vacation. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of outdoor adventures, but even a fun day under the sun needs a little caution sprinkled in.
From loose rocks on trails to unpredictable waves at the beach, risks are always part of the deal. That’s why being a little prepared can make all the difference. A good trip is a safe trip.
#5
I was getting my motorcycle license at the same time I was on rotation in the ICU of a trauma hospital. I gave up on the license in a week.
Learner Panda 4 months ago
I was delivering a 125cc motorbike, riding along a main road. Probably doing about 20 mph as I approached a small roundabout. Then someone who had been drinking at a party pulled out in front of me. The bike hit the side of the car and I somersaulted over the bonnet. While I was being checked out by concerned passers-by, she left the scene. I will never forgive her.
#6
Not wearing a life jacket when on a small boat. Slip/lose balance/fall, hit head, drown.
MK-Ultra71:
Nobody plans to drown. But every year thousands do. Wear the damn LIFE jacket.
downvotesdontmatter-:
There was once this interactive French website that simulated how easily and quickly you'd drown without a life jacket.
You're on a boat with some friends, you get knocked off, the boat was already in motion, the waves make it challenging to see you, humans are so dreadfully slow in water, and you tire, get cold, and die.
Terrifying.
Dr Jimmy 03 4 months ago
Plenty of river & reservoir (artificial lake, g for you non-US readers) recreation places nearby here. Almost all of them GET swimmers and boaters each year. The commonality among these losses of life of life is the Stupid. Willful poor decision-making. (No floatation devices, drunk boating, wrong place at wrong time by choice...)
Now, when it comes to staying safe in the water, we turned to someone who knows it inside out, Mi Chung. He’s not just a seasoned pro swimmer and lifeguard but someone who’s basically grown fins at this point. With years of scanning the surf and diving into rescues, his take on water safety is pretty clear: don’t mess around.
“Be a confident swimmer before heading deep,” Mi says, “and always swim with others.” Sounds basic, right? But it’s amazing how often people dive in solo and unprepared. He stresses that swimming with a buddy isn’t just for kids; it’s a golden rule even adults should follow. It adds a safety net and, honestly, makes the experience more fun.
#7
Childbirth. Childbirth is traumatic on a woman's body. Women still die from childbirth.
Aniraks_Shieldmaiden:
And those that don't die have a baby and the first half year of that is terribly exhausting, which can also be dangerous. (I so vouch for a minimum of three months after birth paid leave for mom and then after that also three months for dad. )
#8
Cutting things towards your body, cut away from the body people.
The Majestic Opossum 4 months ago
Was head of safety at my work and the guys made fun of how much I harped on this. Then one of them sliced his leg open, nearly hitting a major artery. They stopped making fun of me when he told them he almost died from a box cutter.
#9
Dog bites. Dog fights. Letting your off-leash dogs approach on-leash dogs.
A lot of people base their knowledge around dogs from what they've gleaned in BuzzFeed articles and TV shows and movies. They anthropomorphize their dogs to the extent that their dogs suffer for it.
I could write an essay about this - I love discussing it. But it's understandably unpopular to talk about.
Carrierpigment:
People forget that dogs can easily k**l/maim you, if they want.
I was a groomer for ten years and I can tell you, ALL DOGS BITE, it’s just their threshold of tolerance that determines if or when they will. The amount of times I heard “he doesn’t bite” is astounding, I like to reply with “well then how does he eat?!”
It takes a lot of observation and real knowledge (from reputable sources) to recognize when a dog may bite. It ruins a lot of “cute” videos and pictures of dogs, that’s for sure.
Caroline Gavelfält 4 months ago
Oh I hate it, I have huskies, we take them out on leads and meet dog off lead daily and we more often than not have to shout at people asking them to put their dog on a lead, the reply we get is "well my dog is fine/calm/nice" Happy hecking day, mine won't be with yours!
“Enter the water slowly,” he adds, “especially in colder temperatures.” Cold water shock is real and dangerous. Rushing in headfirst isn’t just a dramatic move; it’s a risky one. “Yes, even on tropical beaches, a chill can surprise you,” Mi adds. Warm up, ease in, and enjoy the water; don’t let it surprise you.
#10
Putting feet up on a dashboard in the car.
Nadine Debard 4 months ago
I still have the picture in my head of that girls x-rays. Traumatic (no pun intended).
#11
People; PLEASE wash your dayum hands after you take a dump. Please.
#12
Refusing sun protection.
Ronnie:
Esthetician here, i NEVER leave the house without sunscreen. Even if im driving 5 minutes away or walking my dog. I keep a bottle of sunscreen at every exit to my house, in my car, in my purse, etc…
And here’s one that gets ignored way too often: “Don’t overestimate yourself or underestimate the ocean.” Waves can go from playful to powerful in seconds. Mi explains that it’s important to respect the water and know your limits. “Confidence is great, but cockiness in the ocean? That’s a no from me.”
#13
Aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil). People pop this stuff like it’s candy.
Scottzilla90:
Get carried away and it’ll f**k up your liver.
Johnnynatfan 4 months ago
I know this all too well. I was popping Ibuprofen like candy a few years ago mostly because I was drinking too much and had headaches a lot. Ended up with kidney failure and had to have dialysis. Then the dialysis port got infected so I ended up spending almost a month in the hospital. Luckily for me my kidney fully recovered but man that sucked.
#14
Social media.
Apatheist Account2 4 months ago
Social media doesn't k1ll you per se, but trusting misinformation, following stupid trends and taking risks with your safety for "likes" may well do.
#15
Bitten by a cat. Their saliva causes massive infections.
purpleteapots:
My cats are indoors only but if they accidentally scratch me or bite me during play, I clean the wound like crazy.
Nadine Debard 4 months ago
Same for dogs and all wild animals. I've been bitten by a dog recently (not an agressive one, just a playful and poorly educated baby that can become a dangerous dog soon) and the Dr asked me about my vaccinés, the dog's vaccines and gave me strong antibiotics for a week despite a well cleaned an non-infected cut.
Rip currents? Yep, they’re scary but absolutely survivable if you know what to do. Mi explains, “Rip currents are strong, narrow streams of water that rush away from the shore and can sweep swimmers out fast. Don’t try to fight it head-on. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline. That simple move could save your life.”
Think of it like escaping through the side door instead of slamming into a wall. You won’t win a battle against the ocean; it’s like arguing with gravity. Totally exhausting, and totally avoidable.
#16
Driving and taking in the phone (holding it). Handsfree are a thing for a reason.
#17
Backyard pools. I have a friend who has had to perform CPR twice on kids during pool parties. While that is an anecdotal story, the data on backyard pool deaths is incredible.
#18
Chiropractor. My brother was k****d in 2011 by one. It is still very traumatic.
Ever got a cut and thought, “It’s nothing”? Not in the ocean. “Open wounds attract marine life and risk infections,” Mi warns. Blood in the water is not just a movie trope. It’s a real safety hazard, for you and others. So cover up those nicks and scrapes before heading in, no matter how small they seem.
#19
Electricity. Word of advice: hire an electrician for that.
Phoenixhet:
This. I work as an apprentice and I've seen people accidentally hit lugs in a panel with the cover. It's not pretty.
#20
Genuinely dislike people who knowingly and willingly drink raw milk like what are you so unintelligent.
lovelygg:
I'm a pharm student but raw milk. Saw a kid with listeria meningitis from the mom giving him raw milk. 20-30% mortality even with abx. The parents didn't like western medicine so the kid was brought in very late. idk what happened I just know they were ventilated when I left the rotation.
Jellyfish stings? Yeah, they are the worst. “Get out of the water right away,” Mi advises. “Rinse the sting site, but not with fresh water.” Use vinegar or seawater if possible; fresh water can worsen the sting. If the pain intensifies or you have trouble breathing, seek help. It’s not “just a jellyfish.” Take it seriously.
#22
Punching. You can k**l someone with that s**t.
max_d_oubt:
Friend threw one punch outside a bar, dude fell n hit his head square on the curb and died, 11 years for manslaughter, aged 21, unless you're acting in self defence, fighting ain't worth it.
Aruu:
This is what k**led possibly the nicest guy from my high-school. He was just trying to break the fight up and some little s**t punched him and k****d him.
Said little s**t got out of prison after a few years and is still picking fights.
Akela1996:
Beating up someone over some petty stupid s**t like having to prove your masculinity in front of a bunch of people. I’m a bartender and it’s always amazed me to see how easily men will just beat the s**t out of each other to assert dominance when in reality they could easily accidentally k**l one another.
#23
Rust, some of that s**t in your bloodstream can k**l you.
BrownEyedPanda 4 months ago
Tetanus is still lurking in the shadows, ready to end anyone it infects.
#24
Holding in your poop for long periods of time can cause deadly diseases or really f**k your intestines up. Bite the bullet and use a public restroom instead of holding it till you get home.
And let’s not forget our responsibility toward marine life. “Don’t litter, ever,” Mi says with urgency. “Bottles, plastics, wrappers, they don’t vanish. They choke sea creatures and ruin ecosystems.” Every wrapper counts. Every careless toss adds to a growing problem beneath the waves.
#25
Yeah the brain eating amoeba is my worst irrational fear cause you will NEVER catch me in a lake.
Jenna:
People think I’m crazy for wearing nose plugs in lakes but I refuse to risk getting brain eating amoeba.
#26
BHT sold in food in the US and banned in Europe. Proven to cause cancerous tumors in rodents yet added to krispy creme glaze amongst other things in the US.
Learner Panda 4 months ago
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is a lab-made chemical that is added to foods as a preservative.
#27
Pregnancy.
Earonn - 4 months ago
To think how they actively lied to us and kept us from knowing what pregnancy could do....it's like inviting someone who doesn't know alcohol for a drink without telling them about the dangers, and then letting them drive away in their car. Because once we were pregnant, well, there was nothing we could do about it, and Christian-God beware that we could make an informed decision! So fuc*ked up.
Finally, all of Mi’s advice boils down to one thing: awareness. “Know your limits, know the risks, and respect the ocean,” he says. Whether you’re going for a casual swim or planning a beach day with friends, think before you dive. Safety may not look cool but staying alive definitely is.
#28
Not washing produce before you eat it. There's hepatitis for one. The people who pick your veggies poop in the field or a port o John if they're lucky. Guess how they wash their hands? They don't! Wash your food. Also sometimes there are tiny baby snails on leafy greens. They will mess you up. Rat lungworm will ruin your life before it k**ls you years down the road.
Nadine Debard 4 months ago
I know a person who did that and his gastroenteritis symptoms did last 15 days: 5 days dehydrating badly (very, very sick) and going to ER, 10 more days not able to eat or drink properly without vomiting, stomach ache and diarrhea. 3 years later he doesn't even remember and still does this. I'm desperate.
#29
Horseback riding.
Wear a helmet if you do!
I didn't ONE time and ended up in a trauma unit. I'm ok now.
#30
Insults, me and my friends did a roasting challenge and 5 years later we got into a deep conversation and apparently the roasts really got to all of us, especially one of the girls because she went into a depressive state because of something I said. It haunts me but she forgives me, I still don’t forgive myself.
keyboardtek 4 months ago
Roasting games are just excuses for mean bullies to get the upper hand.
#31
Box cutters, more people slice through their legs while opening boxes and actually die then you probably think. Be careful people.
#32
Drinking too much water. It will f**k with your eiectrolytes and make you pee your sodium out. Eventually it can cause brain swelling, which can certainly be fatal. No bueno.
10Cinephiltopia9:
I have done this. I went into seizures one day. Blacked out and ended up in the hospital 6 hours later. I was drinking roughly 4 Liters a day
#33
There is a river that runs through my hometown. A lot of people drown there every summer and it's always an out of towner. Idk why. They put signs up everywhere. People think it's OK anyways because it looks calm but has alot of under currents.
GalPalAl 4 months ago
A very long time ago, Denis Leary used to talk about this in stand up and on comedy specials. Only the strong survive. You enter at your own risk, die, collect a darwin award and then your family wants to ask for money to pay your funeral expense because you are a d*****s. NOPE
#34
Alcohol.
Catblaster5000:
Truth. Almost k**led me. At least, we think it did. I experienced a mild stroke and pulled out of it ok, but one of the big factors explained was alcohol consumption.
I was drunk every day for about a solid 13 years with very little full days of sobriety in between. Now, I have a couple beers a week, maybe.
Pot helps a lot with quitting drinking. They really need to legalize that s**t.
#35
Taking medications intermittently rather than as prescribed or not at all.
Antibiotics, antidepressants and HTN meds as mentioned and others including things like HIV meds where you essentially make your body resistant to the meds and make it increasingly difficult to find a class of meds that will work.
#36
I have brain damage from strangulation (not from kinky s**t though lol) and I cringe when I see how irresponsible people are with breathplay.
#37
Hot peppers.
"Hey, for this latest dumb as f**k tik-tok challenge I'm going to eat five Carolina Reapers whole!"
Yeah, a Jalapeno is about around 5000 on the scoville scale. A Carolina reaper is around 2.5 million... which is slap bang in the middle of law-enforcement grade pepper spray territory.
There's a curry house in Scotland called Kismot Curry that sells allegedly the world's hottest curry containing the five hottest peppers in the world. It has literally put several people in hospital...and they still sell it.
#38
You would be surprised by the amount of people impaling their hand while cutting avocados (never stab an avocado pit while it’s in your hand people and that’s not how you do it anyways smh).
#40
Never eating any sort of brain (brain tacos in Mexico are common)
#41
An oil leak in a high pressure system.
When looking for the leak, use anything but your hands. The fluid, if it is injected into your body, will require surgery to immediately remove the affected area.
Gangrene will occur within hours if surgery isn't performed.
#42
Bleach mixed with ammonia.
SpecificObject8683:
Bleach mixed with practically anything else will produce something toxic.
Here's a list:
Bleach + ammonia = chloramine gas
Bleach + acid (like vinegar) = chlorine gas
Bleach + isopropyl alcohol = chloroform
Bleach + peroxide = peracetic acid
Bleach + Lysol = all kinds of nasty s**t
#43
Vending Machines, they k**l more people than sharks.
nicholas nolan 4 months ago
Underrated comment! Well done, literal laugh out loud.
Load More Replies...
Michael Largey 4 months ago
If they aren't killing people randomly, does that mean they're doing it on purpose?
Load More Replies...
CP 4 months ago
I am old enough to remember the Great Vending Machin War. The yearly deaths were astronomical until we put the vending machines in their place. Now it is just a few rogue vending machines each year who act up.
Rosemary . 4 months ago (edited)
Yeah but we just send the sharks after any rowdy vending machines.
Load More Replies... 
#44
Motorway driving. I feel like a lot of city dwellers just don’t know how to do it. They do ridiculous things like barging onto the motorway, not making room for people trying to join the motorway/when lanes merge, leaving the kind of space between cars that you’d leavd driving around the city, hogging the middle lanes, indicating/breaking at the very last minute, going considerably below the speed limit for no reason, driving a car that really isn’t motorway safe, letting their dogs stick their head out of the window and so on.
#45
Uncleaned cuts.
You can get an infection.
#46
Ultrasound student. Never getting an IUD.
LookASquirrel 4 months ago
I'm on my 4th. i wish I had got one instead f being on the pill. Period control and being informed by a good gynecologist makes a big difference. I hate that people are still trying to scare people over IUD's. The tech who has done my last 3 IUD ultrasounds had been doing it over 40 years before she retired. I'll trust her, not a student.
#47
Swinging children by their arms ( ie between two adults etc) commonly causes dislocations. The shoulder girdle is the most unstable region of the body.
Dog Mom to Zoe 4 months ago
Same with pets. You shouldn't pick up your pets like you would your children. Their shoulders do not rotate like ours does.
#48
Garage doors.
Dog Mom to Zoe 4 months ago
The newer ones will open right back up if the sensor sense something in it's way. My dog ran out while the garage was closing and my heart stopped for a second. But the sensors sense something in the way and opened back up again.
#49
Never eat/drink grapefruit while taking medicine.
Nadine Debard 4 months ago
Only some medicines are incompatible with grapefruit and it's written on the leaflet and pharmacists will tell you. Don't be paranoid.
#50
Skiing, someone I knew broke their femur bone from it.
leahgc:
A very good friend of mine went skiing for the first time in college, broke his neck and is paralyzed. He was 18 when it happened.
#52
If the t&p valve on your home's water heater tank is not working, your tank can become a powerful bomb.
How to test your t&p.
What can happen if you don't check.
#53
Flying small aircraft. I used to fly small planes for fun and transportation. Then one of my friends at work, someone who I used to fly with, died in a small planed crash. I had been flying for years at the time but I didn’t fully understand the danger. Flying in small aircraft is 10X more dangerous than driving. And that’s on a mile per mile comparison. Small jets piloted by professionals are very safe, airlines are extraordinarily safe, but small planes flown by hobbyists... not so much.
iseefractals 4 months ago
My grandfather on my dads side was a pilot during WWII, spent a couple years as a test pilot after the war, and continued to fly after the war ended. In 1968, my grandparent had flown to NY for the weekend, a trip they made countless times. They took off from a little airport in NJ....and crashed somewhere in pennsylvania less than an hour later. There wasn't enough left to even bury. He had tens of thousands of hours in the sky. Didn't matter.
#54
If an electrical line falls and lands on your car,
DON’T GET OUT OF THE CAR.
Stay very still and wait for help to arrive.
Becky Samuel 4 months ago
If you believe that the ground is live, DON'T PICK UP YOUR FEET! Shuffle along keeping both feet on the ground until you're well clear and don't touch anything.
#55
Sushi.. parasitology class NYU just k****d it for me.
#56
***Hot Water Tanks.*** They're the most dangerous appliance in your house. I actually built an aluminum enclosure around mine just in case it ruptures. I also keep it on a timer and have the thermostat set a bit lower than "typical." I'm paranoid about those things.
HWTs can explode like a small bomb, sending scaldingly-hot water and debris flying. They can take out walls and severely injure or k**l you if you are nearby. Flush 'em annually and turn your temp down a little bit- most are set to a scalding level which isn't even necessary. Sediment buildup can clog pressure relief valves.
WindySwede 4 months ago
Have an pressure release valve! And low tempt might result in legioneLegionella!.! Also, aluminium as protection?? 😬
#58
If I cant avoid public pools, I make sure I would wash immensely right after. No crevices is safe. Everything needs to be cleaned!
#59
Oysters are a BIG no.
#60
Pitbull & Infant photo shoots.
The parasites are enough of a risk for a human with a lvl 1 immune system, please don't support your pediatric plastic surgeons.
Nurture your child rather than your social media accounts. Please.
#61
Procced meats (with nitrates).
#62
Ah good ol naegleria. honestly I will never give my infant/baby raw honey.
Dog Mom to Zoe 4 months ago
I may be wrong with the age, but you are NEVER TO GIVE HONEY TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 4.
#63
After taking micro, I’m literally never doing anything ever again. Swimming in lakes, eating leftover rice, using a Neti pot, you name it.
#64
Drying hands with the air thing at restrooms.
#65
Energy drinks.
#68
The sun.
A coronal mass ejection could wipe out the planet at any time. Not so probable but it has happend before. No danger then just some telegraphs that broke, today it could collapse society since we rely on electricty for almost everything we need to live.
Unless you are self sustained with water/food/heat.
#70
Thrift. I’m terrified of scabies.
#72
Never drinking coconut water again, scared to eat beef now (mad cow disease is 100% fatal and real),never swimming in lakes/ponds etc. never riding a motorcycle, root canals.. the list goes on. I’m pretty much scared of everything.
#73
Being barefoot anywhere.
#74
2 years ago I learned about Creutzfeldt-Jakobs, I haven’t touched cow meat since.
Zero Costa 4 months ago
you woulda learnt it was a one time thing decades ago really only in UK and food safety laws are extreme to prevent this from happening again?
What do you think ?
BrunoVI 4 months ago
If you're ever in Russia, for God's sake, stay away from the windows. For some reason, Russian windows are incredibly dangerous.
Panda Cat 4 months ago (edited)
Aren’t airplanes also? Small airplanes. In addition, don’t let women run up to you with spray bottles and spray you down, especially in the Kuala Lumpur airport. Try not to be North Korean either.
Load More Replies...
CP 4 months ago
In 2022 there were two water heaters in the USA that failed due to pressure. Not worth caring about.
Poppy 4 months ago
Sedentary lifestyle. Job where you're at your desk for long periods of time.
Don Adams 4 months ago
Get a standing desk - game changer. You are standing, moving, can march in place while working. Lost 10 pounds in the first two months of having one.
Load More Replies... Lady Eowyn 4 months ago
I think people can get too crazy over things that are a one in several million chance. You can't live your life afraid of every little thing.
Mel in Georgia 4 months ago
Hay bales! They can roll over people, people fall off of them, they can spontaneously combust, cause asthma attacks because of mold and dust ... Not something you'd even think about as being dangerous.
BrunoVI 4 months ago
If you're ever in Russia, for God's sake, stay away from the windows. For some reason, Russian windows are incredibly dangerous.
Panda Cat 4 months ago (edited)
Aren’t airplanes also? Small airplanes. In addition, don’t let women run up to you with spray bottles and spray you down, especially in the Kuala Lumpur airport. Try not to be North Korean either.
Load More Replies... CP 4 months ago
In 2022 there were two water heaters in the USA that failed due to pressure. Not worth caring about.
Poppy 4 months ago
Sedentary lifestyle. Job where you're at your desk for long periods of time.
Don Adams 4 months ago
Get a standing desk - game changer. You are standing, moving, can march in place while working. Lost 10 pounds in the first two months of having one.
Load More Replies... Lady Eowyn 4 months ago
I think people can get too crazy over things that are a one in several million chance. You can't live your life afraid of every little thing.
Mel in Georgia 4 months ago
Hay bales! They can roll over people, people fall off of them, they can spontaneously combust, cause asthma attacks because of mold and dust ... Not something you'd even think about as being dangerous.
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