“Can Turn Deadly Way Too Quickly”: 13 Seemingly Harmless Things That Can Be Incredibly Dangerous

Many people fear things like being attacked by a shark, struck by lightning, or swept away by a tornado. The good news is that these events are very unlikely to happen. But the bad news is that many mundane and seemingly harmless phenomena are much more dangerous and closer to us than we might imagine, posing a greater threat than the irrational phobias we carry with us.

To learn more about what risks are exactly lurking around us, we asked Pictolic readers to list some of the things they believe are commonly seen as safe but are dangerous. Scroll down to find the most popular answers, and don’t forget to share your insights below.

13 PHOTOS

#1

The combination of church and state.

#2

Listening to unlicensed influencers, advertisements, politicians/entertainment news folks, and Facebook posts regarding healthcare matters.

#3

People doing stupid pranks on strangers... Someone is going to pick the wrong person on the wrong day.

To find the mundane things that we think are safe but aren’t, we don’t have to dig deep. Most of us use them in our daily lives without even realizing it. 

An independent American laboratory, Valisure, and its dozen scientists over the past five years have discovered potentially cancer-causing chemicals in commonly used medications, hand sanitizers, sunscreens, antiperspirant body sprays, and dry shampoos.

#4

Approaching and/or feeding wildlife.

#5

Getting your neck “popped” by a chiropractor.

#6

Riding a motorcycle without proper gear, despite the heat.

The organization aims to shut down the widely spread misconception that products people buy have been through enough testing to be deemed safe. 

“Most consumers assume that because it’s for sale, it must be safe,” says Teresa Murray, director at the nonprofit U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). “Oftentimes, that’s very much not true.”

#7

#8

A gun that is supposedly not loaded.

#9

Cooking yourself in the sun.

Despite common belief, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration isn’t thoroughly analyzing every shampoo or supplement that is available for sale. Interestingly enough, the FDA doesn’t have to approve most cosmetics before they are put on the shelves. Not to mention the effect it will have on our health after years of daily use.

#10

Going anywhere there is a large crowd.

#11

Thinking that bears in their backyard are cute when they eat people. Also, trying to tease buffalo on the road in Yellowstone.

#12

Organized religion.

Products like sunscreen, hair care, and fragrances are regularly causing concern for scientists. “The more we look [at consumer products], the worse it looks,” says Dr. Megan Schwarzman. However, she adds that it’s not always easy to understand the potential risks caused by some of the chemicals found.

#13

A cat walking down the stairs in front of you.