Danger can often lurk where you least expect it. Everyday household items can seem completely harmless; after all, how could something we use every day be dangerous? There is no bright yellow “CAUTION!” sign and many were once considered safe or even beneficial.
So, these hazards can sit for years in our homes before we notice them. The list below features 15 household items that research, recalls and safety warnings have exposed.
Antique ceramic dishware with bright glazes
Colorful old dishes can be cute, but they can be dangerous, too. Solid red, orange, or yellow-glazed dishes were often lead-glazed. Serving hot or acidic food (tomato sauce, curry) on these dishes increases the likelihood that lead will leach into your food. You can’t taste or smell it. This is a scientifically-proven fact, confirmed by repeated lab tests.
Gas stove knobs without child-lock resistance
Older gas stoves sometimes have non-child-proof knobs. A small bump, even with the flame turned off, can release gas into the kitchen. Investigators have tied a number of accidental gas fires to this issue. Newer models do not have this problem, but many of the older stoves remain in homes.
Foam cushions made before modern fire standards
Old cushions and mattresses are highly flammable and do not meet present-day fire safety standards. Flame tests demonstrate the rapidity with which they can ignite. The smoke produced is also dense and poisonous. Many people continue to use older furniture, which looks safe, unaware of the danger of fire.
Decorative oil lamps used indoors
Those attractive oil lamps in the living room or bedroom can be dangerous. They burn fuels such as kerosene and young children sometimes ingest it accidentally. Many calls come into poison control centers about this, more than most people realize. The fuels are frequently kept in bottles that look like common beverages, and even a small amount can result in severe lung damage if swallowed or inhaled. They also cause the air quality to degrade considerably in closed rooms.
Extension cords hidden under rugs
Lots of folks run cords under rugs to hide them. It’s a bad idea because the heat builds up where the cord can’t vent. Fires have started this way thousands of times. Fire investigators continually find burned out extension cords under carpets. The cord may look okay until it suddenly fails.
Old pressure cookers without secondary release valves
Older pressure cookers were a single release valve, and they had to be monitored carefully. If the valve clogged, pressure would build until the lid could suddenly shoot off. Testing has demonstrated it can cause serious burns. Many modern cookers have additional safety features, but older models are still in use.
Pre-1990 baby cribs kept for sentimental reasons
Families often hang onto old cribs made for sentimental value. The problem is with the distance between slats. Older cribs have wider gaps which have trapped infants. A number of infant deaths have occurred, and regulators have since outlawed these designs. However, some people keep them, believing if they were safe before, they still are.
Imported costume jewelry for adults
Beware of imported costume jewelry. Even those made for adults, certain styles have been found to have excessive levels of lead or cadmium. Just by wearing them, these metals can come into contact with your skin. Many such items have been confiscated by authorities from retail outlets after testing, and they generally don’t state what metals are in them.
Humidifiers that use ultrasonic mist without filters
Some humidifiers at home use ultrasonic mist and don’t have filters. That means that the mineral particles in tap water float around in the air. Tests have shown that these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs. The machine works very well and that’s why most people don’t see the risk. Long term, it can irritate airways particularly in children.
Old electrical panels still in service
Older electrical panels can fail in a manner that is not readily apparent. Circuit breakers may fail to trip when overloaded. Fire investigators have well documented this failure mode. Many of these panels were quietly taken off the market without recall. They remain in homes today.
Magnetic cabinet closures from older furniture
Older cabinets have been known to use magnetic closures with very strong magnets. If they become unattached, they can be swallowed. Doctors have reported extreme injuries after several magnets got swallowed. This was not widely known or understood at the time. Old furniture that is still in homes could have this hidden hazard.
Vinyl mini blinds installed decades ago
Vinyl mini blinds from years past can generate lead-laden dust with age. The lead levels have been confirmed in dust by environmental agencies many times. Dust easily accumulates within reach of children’s hands. Kids are the most vulnerable to the dust and lead these blinds produce. Yet, many of these blinds remain in old homes and rental properties.
Antique hair dryers with metal casings
Vintage, metal-cased hair dryers were not constructed as modern appliances are. The insulation on the wires inside is thinner, and testing has proven that they can give a user an electric shock if the wires inside have deteriorated. Vintage hair dryers do not have an automatic shut off.
Scented candles with metal-core wicks
An odorless threat lurks in the wicks of older scented candles. They used to contain a lead-based metal core to hold the wick upright, and burning it releases lead into the air.
Old garden hoses used for drinking water
Old garden hoses can be hazardous to your health if you drink from them. Hose material can leach lead or plasticizers into water stagnated in the hose. When people detect an odor or flavor, they routinely attribute it to ordinary hose taste. Children continue to drink garden hose water in backyards despite the health hazards.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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