Health

Everyday Things You Are Doing that Could Have Deadly Consequences

Have you ever wondered what kind of dangerous things you’re around from day to day? It may be something you never expected. There are some thrill… Trista - October 5, 2022

Have you ever wondered what kind of dangerous things you’re around from day to day? It may be something you never expected. There are some thrill seekers out there who enjoy doing dangerous things, but for the majority of us, we enjoy a comfortable life, staying at home and doing safe things. However, did you know that basic, familiar routines in your everyday life are considered dangerous? Let’s take a look at some of these harmful things to ensure you gain the knowledge necessary to stay away from them.

This Old-Fashioned Treat Can Have Fatal Consequences

We’ve all indulged in black licorice at one time or another, but did you know that overeating it can be deadly? Medical journals worldwide have reported that eating too much black licorice over an extended period of time can lead to Pseudohyperaldosteronism. This condition is described as high levels of aldosterone, which can cause high blood pressure, low blood potassium levels, metabolic alkalosis, and more. You can actually overdose on black licorice! You may be wondering how something like this happens. Well, black licorice contains a sweetener that mimics a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It’s rare for an overdose to occur, but you should be mindful of the amount you’re consuming.

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Painkillers Like Tylenol Can Kill

We all take Tylenol from time to time for our aches and pains. The active ingredient, acetaminophen, is a dangerous substance when overused. The normal dose of Tylenol that’s safe to take per day is 4,000 milligrams. It has been discovered that more than 460 people die per year by overdosing on acetaminophen. Of those 460 deaths, 160 are believed to be accidental from taking too much Tylenol. If you’re having difficulty with pain, speak to your doctor before taking more than the safe dosage of acetaminophen per day. Your doctor can offer alternatives to keep your body safe. The FDA believes the lethal dose of Tylenol is around 71 pills or 35,600 milligrams. While it’s safe to say most of us won’t take that much in a day, there are people who do it. If you or anyone you know struggles with suicidal thoughts, reach out to the National Suicide Hotline for help.

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A Blanket That Can Cause Cancer

Electric blankets are warm and cozy for those cold winter nights. They help give you comfort when you aren’t feeling well, but did you know they can cause reproductive health problems and cancer? It’s crazy to think something like a blanket could cause something so deadly. Electric blankets are also said to cause heat stroke when used for an extended period of time. Do you use electric blankets? It may be best to use it on the lowest setting for a short period of time rather than overnight. Who knew something that gives you warmth and comfort could cause cancer?

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Dryer Lint Can Have Dangerous Consequences

This may be something you already know. Dryer lint can cause fires if left to build up in your dryer. The U.S. Fire Administration has discovered that around 2,900 fires occur every year due to dryer buildup. It’s important to clean the lint out of your dryer after every use to avoid dangerous fires. You might also avoid using your dryer when you aren’t home, just to be safe. The Fire Administration also discovered that five deaths occur per year due to dryer fires. Thoroughly cleaning your dryer trap could save your life! Get in the habit of cleaning out your dryer lint trap after every use to ensure your safety and well-being.

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Coffee Can Be Deadly If Too Much Is Consumed

The saying, “All things in moderation,” is a statement that should be followed when it comes to drinking coffee. Coffee contains high levels of caffeine that, when consumed, can give you the boost needed to make it through the day. If you drink too much coffee, the caffeine can cause heart problems, insomnia, dizziness, vomiting, and headaches. It has been discovered that 120 cups of coffee in a single day can be deadly. Caffeine can kill someone with as little as one tablespoon in its pure powdered form. While the majority of coffee drinkers need not worry because they stick to just a few cups a day, there are people out there who overdo it. In fact, there are two cases of young men drinking pure caffeine mixed with water. All it took was one tablespoon of the powder mixed with water to kill them.

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Scuba Diving May Be Fun But Don’t Do This While Diving

Scuba diving gives people the opportunity to see amazing things underwater. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran when it comes to scuba diving, there’s one thing you should never do while attached to the tanks. Holding your breath while scuba diving can make your lungs pop like balloons. I’m sure this is something that’s taught during classes, but it’s something everyone should know. While scuba diving, the deeper underwater you go, the higher the pressure gets. This means that the amount of air you can breathe decreases. The pressure will expand your lungs if you hold your breath while coming to the surface. This is extremely dangerous and often deadly. The expansion in your lungs can lead to air bubbles traveling into your heart. Be sure to follow all instructions when going diving to ensure your safety.

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Drinking Six Liters Of Water Can Kill

Water is good for you to a certain extent, but did you know that drinking upwards of six liters per day is hazardous? Water intoxication can cause a variety of symptoms, with the most common being nausea and vomiting. Drinking water helps to regulate the shape of the cells in our bodies, so it’s important to drink water on a daily basis. You may be wondering what the correct amount to drink is, and scientists discovered the amount should range between 2-3 liters per day. In extreme cases of water intoxication, the brain can’t handle all of the extra water, and people will experience neurological problems such as confusion, headaches, seizures, and even death. Athletes are found to have the biggest problems with water intoxication. A study performed in 2005 of Boston Marathon runners found that one-sixth of the runners had mild forms of water intoxication.

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Do You Use A Lot Of Salt?

We use it every day to season our food, but did you know that too much salt can kill you? That’s right. Salt is one of the compounds that is needed to keep our cells balanced. However, when you eat too much salt, your cells can go into shock. This phenomenon is called Hypernatremia. It occurs when your body has an overload of salt with insufficient water to compensate. Symptoms of Hypernatremia include weakness, fatigue, coma, and even death in serious cases. It’s essential to limit your salt intake, especially as you age. Be sure to drink water with your salt intake to avoid the swelling of cells in your body. Everything in moderation is a good phrase to follow regarding your salt and water intake.

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Did You Ever Try To Eat Something You Knew Was Wrong?

As children, our curiosity can get the best of us at times. The world around us is filled with things we’re excited about. Seeing animals in the wild fills children with joy and excitement. The topic of this conversation is slugs. Did you ever see a slug as a child and try to eat it? You’ll be glad you didn’t when you hear what happens when you do. Eating slugs can infect your brain with a parasite that destroys the brain. It’s called rat lungworm, and it can eat your brain and cause paralysis and death. Most common in rodents, rat lungworms, can infect your body by eating undercooked or raw snails. In one case, a 19-year-old man dared to eat a slug and died eight years later after being paralyzed by rat lungworms. The easiest way to avoid becoming infected is to steer clear of raw slugs and snails.

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Do You Own A Gas Range?

It may not be something you think could come from your gas range, but carbon monoxide is a deadly substance. The Centers for Disease Control has discovered gas ranges to be one of the many deadly appliances in your home. Using an exhaust fan while cooking on a gas range is important to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, check your range to ensure all burners are fully off before leaving your kitchen for the night. Most carbon monoxide poisonings occur while people are asleep. Installing an exhaust vent above your stove is a quick and easy process, easily found on YouTube. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to an invisible gas that can cause serious consequences.

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Drinking Shots Of Alcohol In Rapid Succession

Drinking can cause impaired judgment, memory loss, blurry vision, slurred speech, and slow your reaction time, but did you know it can also be deadly? Alcohol poisoning is a very real and scary reaction to drinking too much over a short period of time. It’s called a binge. When binge drinking, a person loses the ability to breathe easily and stay conscious. Your brain essentially begins to shut down. It has been found that just 13 shots of alcohol over a short period of time can cause your body to shut down permanently. Every year hundreds of people die from alcohol poisoning. It’s a dangerous pastime that one should consider quitting, especially if binge drinking. Programs are available to help you stop drinking if you’re having difficulty.

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Ingesting These Oils Can Be Fatal

Essential oils have grown in popularity over the last few years. They smell great and can help with a variety of ailments from anxiety to nausea, but did you know that ingesting them could kill you? A 2019 study found that hundreds of cases of poisonings were reported to The Centers for Disease Control. Scientists report that just one teaspoon of clove oil or pennyroyal oil can be lethal, and it’s the equivalent of taking 100 aspirin. So why are people ingesting the oils instead of using them, as it says on the bottle? Some oils can be taken orally, while others aren’t safe for ingestion. If you use essential oils in a diffuser or on the skin, it’s best to speak with a medical professional to ensure you’re not using too much. It’s important to keep your oils out of the reach of children in a safe location.

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Eye Drops Can Cause Respiratory Failure

This is probably something that happens accidentally, but eye drops like the Visine brand can cause respiratory failure if drunk. We’ve all used eye drops from time to time to relieve red, itchy eyes. It’s probably something you keep in your medicine cabinet as a permanent fixture. The active ingredient in eye drops, such as Visine, Tetrahydrozoline, is what makes the eye drops deadly. Eye drops work by causing the blood vessels in your eyes to narrow, thus relieving those itchy eyes. When the active ingredient enters your bloodstream, it can cause your heart to slow down, making your body pump less blood. It can make your heart slow down to the point that it becomes fatal. There are two murder cases where spouses used eye drops to poison their significant others. Be sure to keep your eye drops in a safe location to ensure children don’t drink the liquid.

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Sandcastle Cave-Ins

Going to the beach is fun for families worldwide, but did you know that digging in the sand could cause a deadly cave-in? It’s scary to think that something we do all the time when we go to the beach could be harmful. A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that 52 sand hole incidents led to 31 deaths in a ten-year period. The problem with digging in the sand comes because the holes can give way unexpectedly. Digging holes and building sandcastles is a fun pastime, but if you don’t fill them in, you can also cause someone else to get hurt by falling into holes. Experts in this area of science recommend never digging a hole deeper than knee height. They also recommend covering your holes when finished exploring and never trying to connect two holes underground. These safety procedures will protect you and your family from dangerous cave-ins.

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Extension Cords Cause More Dangerous Situations Than You’d Expect

Everyone has used an extension cord at least once in their lives. They are a quick and easy way to plug something into an outlet when you need additional space. Did you know that using extension cords can be deadly? They aren’t something you’d think would be dangerous. However, every year extension cords cause 3,000 home fires and 50 deaths. They are easy to trip over, especially in the dark. The overuse of extension cords causes fatal accidents. If you plan on using an extension cord, try to put it up against a wall or under furniture to keep someone from tripping over it. Additionally, be sure to only use the extension cord for a limited amount of time to avoid dangerous fires in your home.

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Toothpaste Can Be Dangerous If You Eat It

Toothpaste is something we use on a daily basis and even multiple times a day. You’d never think it could be dangerous or deadly. Since it goes in your mouth, how can it be dangerous? We wondered the same thing, and after doing some research, we have the answers for you! Toothpaste has a clear warning on the label saying it’s dangerous if ingested. It can actually cause intestinal blockages if ingested. One of the main ingredients in toothpaste is fluoride. It’s needed to keep your teeth healthy and sparkling clean, but it also has a sinister side effect if you eat it. Fluoride can cause a variety of symptoms, with the most dangerous being heart attacks. Watch your children when they brush their teeth to ensure proper usage of the toothpaste. It’s better to be safe in situations like this.

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A Favorite Sweet Treat Can Kill

Where are all the chocolate lovers? Chocolate is a favorite treat for many, but did you know it can be deadly? Theobromine, one of the ingredients in chocolate, can have fatal consequences if over-consumed. It’s an ingredient that kills pets, and that’s why your veterinarian says never to give dogs chocolate. This ingredient can kill humans as well, but since we have different metabolisms than pets, we’re able to handle Theobromine. It would take an average of 85 chocolate bars to kill someone. This equals out to 1,000 milligrams of Theobromine per kilogram of body weight. As long as you don’t overindulge, chocolate can stay a part of your diet.

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Staying Cool In The Summertime Could Be Dangerous

We all love summer. The long days and warm weather are perfect for trips to the beach or a family cookout. However, did you know that your air conditioner could be dangerous? Leaking air conditioners can cause refrigerant poisoning. This type of poisoning can cause oxygen to be cut off from your lungs and cells, heart palpitations, and even seizures. When oxygen gets cut off, your cells begin to die, and this can ultimately lead to death. It’s best to ensure your air conditioner doesn’t have a leak. You can purchase a repair kit to stop the leak if it does. Check your air conditioner for leaks every year before you start using it for the summer.

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It’s Important To Take Care Of Your Teeth

Having good dental hygiene is the difference between life and death. Tooth decay can cause sepsis in severe cases. Tooth decay occurs when you have too much acid in your mouth, breaking down the enamel on your teeth and causes the tooth to die. If you don’t go to the dentist and have the tooth repaired, that’s when problems will begin to arise. When a tooth starts to decay, it fills your mouth with unhealthy bacteria. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of your body, leading to a diagnosis of sepsis. The bacteria from your teeth can cause other problems to come about. If you have preexisting conditions, they may worsen. It’s of the utmost importance to take care of your teeth to avoid dangerous and deadly problems like sepsis

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Do You Have An Indoor Swimming Pool?

Having a swimming pool indoors just seems like the epitome of luxuriousness. You can enjoy it year-round without worrying about the colder weather. Lounging around in the pool is so relaxing that you may not think about the consequences. Indoor swimming pools, in particular, can expose you to dangerous chemicals. These chemicals may increase your risk for cancer and asthma. Scientists believe the danger comes from the use of disinfectants in your pool, so having proper ventilation in your pool area is essential. Also, be sure to keep children and pets away from the pool area without proper supervision to avoid dangerous situations like drowning.

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Using Windex and Bleach At The Same Time Is Dangerous

This is something you probably don’t know about. People use these cleaners daily, but did you know that using them together on the same surfaces could be detrimental to your health? It’s best to use these types of cleaners separately. The problem lies with combining the chemicals in blech and Windex, which can produce harmful gases combined. The ammonia in Windex mixed with bleach can burn your lungs, forming a toxic gas called Chloramine vapor. Chloramine vapor can also turn into another gas that will explode. If you plan on using both cleaners, please use them separately for your safety.

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Your Favorite Pastime At Home Could Be Deadly

Let’s talk about flat-screen televisions. They provide a wealth of knowledge, fun and exciting adventures, lots of laughs, and news from around the world. However, televisions are one of the leading causes of accidents with children. That’s right. Children can pull the television down and get injured in the process. The Pediatric journal found that 17,000 children were taken to the emergency room between 1990 and 2011 for injuries sustained while pulling T.V.s down. If you have young children and want to ensure their safety, there are steps you can take. Mounting your television on the wall is a safe way to keep your children from pulling it down and keeping it out of their reach is the best way to ensure their safety around televisions.

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Do You Use Magnets On Your Fridge?

Magnets are used to hold papers and pictures on your refrigerator, but did you know they can be dangerous? They aren’t something you would expect to see on this list, that’s for sure. These are other things you should worry about with having young children. If they eat the magnets, they can compress together in the bowel, causing a blockage. The American Academy of Pediatrics says magnets can cause ischemia, perforations, and bowel obstructions in children. All of which can be extremely dangerous. It’s best to keep magnets away from young children’s reach. If you want to use magnets, that’s fine, but put them high enough where your kiddos can’t reach them.

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Something You Use In Your Home Whenever You Cook

Your range hood in your kitchen may not be working as well as you think. These range hoods are designed to take the air out of your home while you cook. The problem lies with their design. Range hoods don’t pull enough air out to deter your home’s carbon monoxide or other gases. If they could be designed to pull more air out, it would help the situation. Millions of people are being exposed to pollutants every day while using their stoves, and the air is getting trapped in their homes without proper ventilation. Nitrogen Dioxide is another dangerous gas that you can encounter while cooking. Your range hood won’t do much to get this dangerous gas out of your home. If possible, buy a stronger fan for your range hood to ensure it is pulling enough toxic air out of your home.

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Wetness In Your Home Can Cause Dangerous Mold

Mold is a common occurrence in most homes. The problem lies with the spores that make their way around your home. If you have mold in your home, it can cause asthma and other respiratory problems. Mold can be extremely dangerous, so getting rid of it as soon as possible is essential. Some types of molds can create toxic substances that cause immune system problems, cancer, liver damage, and central nervous system damage. If you find mold in your home, go to your local store to find products that will help to get rid of it. In some cases, you may need to hire professionals to rid your home of mold. It may cost you a lot of money, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

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A Dangerous Cleaning Product

You’ve probably used oven cleaner at least once in your life. It helps to remove stuck-on debris from your oven and leave it sparkling clean. However, did you know that using oven cleaners can be dangerous? Oven cleaner is dangerous for your health because it contains cleaning products that can cause chemical burns on your skin. If you spray your oven and then decide to use the self-cleaning option on your stove, it can be even more dangerous. When you use the cleaner with the self-cleaning option, it can release toxic fumes. The fumes from the oven cleaner can cause respiratory distress and even death in serious cases. If you plan to use oven cleaner, don’t use the self-cleaning option. Use the self-cleaning function first, then clean out your oven with the cleaner. It will reduce the risk of inhaling those toxic chemicals.

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Pheromone Diffusers For Your Pets

If you have cats, you know how they can sometimes get into fights. There is a product out there called Feliway that contains pheromones. It helps to calm your furry feline and stop the fighting. They can also help with pets who mark their territory. The problem with these diffusers has nothing to do with your pets. The problem arises because these specific diffusers can cause house fires. Suppose you plan to use these types of diffusers. It’s best only to have them plugged in while you’re awake. It will help to avoid dangerous situations in your home. These types of diffusers are flammable. Finding another way to stop your pets from marking their territory or fighting with each other is better.

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Furniture Stain Is Flammable

Did you know furniture stain is flammable? Whether creating something new for your home or touching up an old piece, it’s best to do it while outside to avoid dangerous consequences. Besides being flammable, furniture stain also gives off toxic fumes. If you plan to use it indoors, be sure to have proper ventilation to avoid respiratory problems. It’s fun to stain new pieces for your home, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health. You can always use a respirator as well if you aren’t sure if you have enough ventilation.

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Do You Use Nail Polish Remover?

Here is another deadly item that you might use daily. The active ingredient in nail polish remover is acetone, a toxic substance that can cause various problems and even death when ingested. It’s crucial to keep nail polish remover out of the reach of children. The National Capital Poison Center has discovered that nail polish remover can cause chemical burns and respiratory distress and lead to internal bleeding. If you choose to use nail polish remover, there are plenty of options available that are safer to use. These products contain no acetone. The strong nail polish remover fumes are dangerous to breathe in without proper ventilation. Always wash your hands thoroughly after using nail polish remover to avoid dangerous chemical burns on your skin.

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Using A Wood Stove

We get it. A wood stove makes for a cozy space in your home, and the crackling of the fire is relaxing. Wood stoves can leak dangerous carbon monoxide into your home without proper ventilation. A wood stove makes a nice centerpiece for your living room, but it’s hazardous. In order to keep you and your family safe, be sure to have your chimney cleaned every year before using it for the first time. Also, keep carbon monoxide detectors with fresh batteries in your home to know if carbon monoxide is leaking from your fireplace. Wood stoves can also cause dangerous fires in your home. Never use a wood-burning stove without supervising the fire inside. It can be dangerous for you and your family.

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Candles Give Your Home A Relaxing Vibe

Here is another deadly item that you might use daily. Candles smell wonderful and fill your home with a sense of comfort. It’s easy to forget they are even burning. This is where the problem lies with candles. They can cause unexpected fires if left unattended. Never burn candles in your home unless you’re there to watch them. The National Fire Prevention Associated reported that candles cause three percent of all house fires. You may have difficulty believing it, but there are an average of 25 candle-related fires per day in people’s homes. This is why it’s important to remember if you have candles in your home. We’re sure many people out there forget about them only to find them a few hours later, still lit.

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What Kind Of Lightbulbs Do You Use?

Certain types of lightbulbs contain mercury, so it’s important to know which kinds are safe to use. You should always try to avoid using CFL lightbulbs wherever you can. Mercury is toxic to humans as well as pets. We’re sure we all have broken a lightbulb at one point or another. Do you know how to clean up a broken lightbulb properly? There is a necessary procedure to follow. Turning off your ventilation systems, like a furnace or central air, is vital to avoid spreading toxic chemicals throughout your home. Open a window to allow fresh air into the room and ensure no one else is in the room with you. Thoroughly clean the area with a wet cloth and be sure to dry it as well. This will help to avoid spreading mercury throughout your home.

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Using Real Christmas Trees

A real Christmas tree fills your home with that wonderful pine scent, and it’s such a fun time cutting down your own, but did you know they are also dangerous? That’s right. Real Christmas trees can cause house fires. It’s essential to shut off your Christmas lights when you go to bed at night to avoid causing dangerous fires in your home. There is an average of 210 Christmas tree fires every year around Christmas time. There are ways to ensure your tree won’t cause a fire in your home. Be sure to buy a freshly cut tree or cut one down yourself. This ensures your tree won’t be too dry. Also, be sure to water your tree, so it doesn’t dry out. This is when fires can occur with Christmas trees. Lastly, keep your Christmas tree away from fire sources like fireplaces.

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The Cords on Your Mini Blinds

Here is another deadly item that you might use daily. We all have some sort of curtains in our homes, but did you know the most dangerous type is mini blinds? Children are notorious for wanting to play with them. Research shows that one child dies per month from playing with mini blinds and getting tangled up in the cords. It is such a sad thing that could be completely avoided. If you have mini blinds with cords in your home, the best thing you can do is remove them to keep everyone safe. There are budget-friendly replacements available in most stores now without the cords. If you have them and don’t have the budget to change them out, flip the cords over the top of the blind. This will be a temporary fix to ensure everyone’s safety in your home.

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Do You Use Batteries for Your Devices?

Batteries may seem like something that shouldn’t be on this list, but they are pretty dangerous. Batteries contain corrosive chemicals that can cause burns to your skin and eyes. Furthermore, it causes fatalities if ingested. If you use batteries at home, be sure to keep children away from your devices or tape the backs shut so your children can’t access the battery compartment. Suppose you come in contact with battery acid. In that case, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands. If you have ingested battery acid, immediately go to the Emergency Room for life-saving help. Batteries may seem like the least of your worries, but they are actually one of the more dangerous items on our list.

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Teflon-Coated Pots And Pans

Do you use Teflon-coated pots and pans in your home? Did you know that Teflon can be dangerous? The problem with these types of pots and pans comes when the pans begin to chip or flake. These pans are only meant to be used with plastic utensils to avoid chipping the Teflon. If you do chip the Teflon and ingest some of what chips off, it could be harmful to your body. If you have these types of pans in your home, it’s best to get rid of them and switch to copper or stainless-steel pots and pans. There isn’t enough information available on the damaging effects of Teflon on the human body, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you decide to keep them, at least throw them away if they begin to chip or flake.

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You Might Need A Plumber If You Smell This

It’s not something you like to talk about. The stinky things that happen in the bathroom. However, you’ll have to call a plumber if you have a blocked sewer drain. They can help to deter those stinky methane gas smells you get when you go outside. Breathing in methane gas is dangerous for your health and can cause various problems. Methane gas can cause headaches, nausea, heart palpitations, unconsciousness, and dizziness when exposed to too much. Call a plumber immediately before it gets worse if you smell something stinky coming from your yard and begin to feel the effects of methane gas poisoning. It’s not a pleasant smell and may smell somewhat like rotten eggs.

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