You probably don’t think about it a lot, but there are plenty of everyday things that can kill you if you don’t treat them with the respect they deserve. These silent killers may seem odd, but they can be harmful when not handled wisely.
In a recent discussion online, people shared normal things that can be fatal. Here are ten of their most common responses.
Stairs
Stairs were the top answer for something normal that can be deadly. Sadly, many people knew someone who had died as a result of falling on stairs.
One person said, “My dad literally died from falling down a flight of stairs. The bleeding and pressure in his brain was too much and they had to remove a piece of his skull. Then, ten days later he went into cardiac arrest.”
Someone replied, “My dad was drunk and fell down the stairs and just basically landed on his neck so he died of positional asphyxiation. I’m so sorry about your dad, I know how bad it feels.”
Visine Eye Drops
Visine eye drops are perfectly safe when they are used as directed and in your eyes. They are also poisonous if ingested by mouth.
One person said, “Visine is an extremely toxic poison. If you ingest just a small amount it can be fatal. It’s been one of the favorite ways for women to kill their husbands for a very long time. Just a few tablespoons in the morning coffee or oatmeal and a fat life insurance check is on the way.”
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are a necessity, but they are also the most dangerous room in your home and should be treated with respect.
One woman said, “Many people get hurt badly in slip in the bathroom. Oddly enough, we tend to use materials that are rather slick when wet when building them too.”
Another woman said, “Everyone thinks I’m crazy, but I have a serious respect for slip hazards in the bathroom and for holding the handrails while walking up/down the stairs. Everyone is afraid of snakes or terrorists but it’s much more likely the bathtub or stairs that are going to kill you.”
Ink Cap Mushrooms
Ink cap mushrooms are a commonly found mushroom that grow in the wild. They are edible as long as you don’t drink alcohol in the days prior to or following you have eaten them.
One man said, “Ink cap mushrooms are edible foragable mushrooms, but if consumed with alcohol they become toxic. One example of why using foraging apps to identify a yes or no answer as to whether something is edible isn’t a great idea.”
Garage Doors
Garage doors can be deadly if they are used improperly or the springs on them break. One person said, “It’s something I never would have thought much about until ours went (thankfully with no one in the garage at the time). There was a loud boom that shook that side of the house. It turns out that boom had been one of the two springs snapping in half.”
Someone replied, “A friend of mine from high school was an overhead door repair guy. One of those door springs got him and years later I think he’s something like 15 surgeries deep into trying to fix that hand and make it usable.”
Salt
Most of us use salt daily to season our food, and it’s perfectly safe when used in moderation. Ingesting too much, however, can wreak havoc on your body.
One person said, “Sprinkle it on your food and you’re fine, but consume ten teaspoons at once and you could die.”
A woman replied, “My husband has sodium issues because of an immune disorder. He was once in the ICU for 10 days so they could correct his sodium levels. It can be very serious stuff.”
Water
Water is necessary for life, but it can be dangerous if you drink too much of it or find yourself in it over your head.
One person said, “Obviously, we need it to survive. But it will kill us if we drink too much, drink the wrong kind, or fall into a bunch of it.”
Tylenol
You can buy it without a prescription, and it will ease your pain, so many people assume that it is safe. It is when taken correctly. Sadly, many people take too much intentionally or don’t know the safe dose.
One commenter said, “There’s a very fine line between safe dose and dose that destroys your liver.” Someone else said, “Going out by Tylenol poisoning is genuinely terrifying. Once things begin it cannot be stopped or reversed. It causes multi organ failure over days/weeks and you are aware of it.”
Insulin
You need insulin to live, but too much of it can kill you. One person said, ” Insulin is especially important for those whose bodies don’t make it. You need it to live, but too little or too much and you’re dead.”
Someone else said, “An accidental overdose, just a calculation error, can kill you within minutes.”
Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning supplies can be deadly if you use them improperly, ingest them, or mix the wrong ones together.
One woman said, “Bleach is fine by itself but mixed with any other cleaning products it can be lethal.” Another said, “Mix the wrong ones together by accident, and your home suddenly turns into a death trap.”
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This thread inspired this post.
I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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