5 Shockingly Dangerous Things People Used to Do That Were..
5 Shockingly Dangerous Things People Used to Do That Were Normal
Looking back, it’s hard to believe the risky things that used to be everyday habits.
From parenting to driving, people did things that would raise serious safety concerns today.
Here’s a look at 5 once-common practices that, in hindsight, were surprisingly dangerous.
1. No Seat Belts in Cars
Before seat belt laws, people drove — and let their kids ride — without any restraints. In crashes, the risk of death or serious injury was dramatically higher.
2. Smoking Around Kids and Indoors
Widespread smoking in homes, cars, airplanes, and public spaces exposed everyone — especially children — to secondhand smoke, which increases cancer, asthma, and heart disease risks.
3. Lead in Paint and Toys
Lead poisoning from paint, toys, and even dishes caused irreversible brain damage, developmental delays, and even death in children.
4. Leaving Kids Alone in Cars
This seemingly harmless errand run has led to tragic deaths from overheating and dehydration — even within minutes on warm days.
5. Giving Kids Cough Syrup with Codeine or Alcohol
Medications once marketed to soothe children’s coughs often contained codeine or alcohol, increasing the risk of overdose, respiratory failure, and long-term dependency.
