It’s amazing how little we think about the rules that govern the products we use each day. In the United States, a wide variety of items can be illegal to own in some states. Here are a few of the everyday items you can’t buy in parts of the country.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Raw milk
Raw milk is treated very differently depending on where you are. In New Jersey and Louisiana, it’s banned for drinking due to health concerns. Meanwhile, states such as California and New York allow it, as long as farmers follow strict rules and include warning labels on the bottles.
Kinder surprise eggs
You might have loved Kinder Surprise Eggs as a kid, but in the U.S., they’re banned. A 1938 federal law stops any candy that contains hidden toys or objects from being sold or imported anywhere in the country.
Sky lanterns
Sky lanterns are illegal in a number of states due to the fire hazard they pose. For instance, they are banned in Washington state and Louisiana, which have both experienced wildfires and safety concerns related to the use of sky lanterns.
Laundry detergent pods
New York City has proposed a ban on laundry detergent pods like Tide Pods. These contain microplastics that have been proven to contaminate the city’s water supply. The law has yet to be passed but could be enforced in the future.
Hunting knives with certain blades
Knife laws can differ significantly from state to state. Hunting knives are illegal to carry in Connecticut with blades over 3.5 inches. In Alabama, hunting knives are mostly allowed but there are some restrictions. Make sure to research the laws in your area before carrying one.
Plastic straws
Plastic straw bans have been put in place in some states due to environmental pollution. For instance, California, New Jersey, and New York all have plastic straw bans in place. These laws are being passed as a means to help lessen the amount of plastic waste and its effect on marine life.
Rare Earth magnets
Rare earth magnets are banned for sale in the U.S. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued guidelines in the recent past, banning the sale of these types of magnets. This restriction is across the United States due to safety concerns. They’re thought to be dangerous if swallowed.
Laser pointers
Certain laser pointers are banned in some states. In California, for instance, laser pointers with a power output greater than 5 milliwatts cannot be sold.
Hammocks in state parks
The use of hammocks are banned in some state parks. In California, for example, they can’t be used in certain state parks. This is because they can cause problems for wildlife and vegetation, as well as damage trees.
Upholstered furniture with specific chemicals
California also restricts the use of upholstered furniture that contains certain flame-retardant chemicals. In fact, they’ve banned the sale of certain upholstered furniture items that have specific chemicals in them.
Rainwater collection barrels
Rainwater collection is not necessarily illegal in most states, but some states including Colorado and Utah have specific regulations regarding the amount of rainwater one can store on their property, mostly due to the local water rights laws and usage restrictions .
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
