19 Everyday Activities That Are Riskier Than We Think, But People Still Do Allll The Time

It always fascinates when a seemingly innocuous decision has actual dangerous consequences, like using a chair to fix a lightbulb or getting a bad infection from picking a scab. It doesn't seem risky in the moment, but there's always a horror story to remind us that, actually, we shouldn't be doing that.

Recently, I compiled these "doesn't seem dangerous but actually is" things in the world that the BuzzFeed Community shared with me, but people in the comments had so many more to add.

Here's everything they shared:

1."Using metal bristle brushes to clean your grill. It is incredibly dangerous! A bristle can break off and be on the grill without you noticing, so when you next cook, it goes into the food, which is small enough that you can be unfortunate enough to swallow. That bristle can puncture or lacerate the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. It can cause MASSIVE problems, even death. Use a plastic brush!"

2."Not learning CPR. Brain damage occurs within minutes when someone stops breathing. You don't want to watch a friend or loved one die while waiting for the ambulance."

—Anonymous

3."Not staying hydrated before going to a concert. I work in the live music industry, and it's a good day if someone doesn't pass out from heat exhaustion or dehydration. People will pregame with alcohol before entering the venue, and most continue to drink after they enter. All the combining factors of body heat from yourself and others, smoke and haze machines, the weather, dancing, standing, or moshing, and alcohol don't mix well."

4."Using high-grade cleaning products with intense chemicals without proper PPE. Example: I used an entire can of Barkeeper's Friend to clean a BBQ that was never cleaned before. The next day, my hands had chemical burns and cuts. I ended up in the ER."

—Anonymous

5."Stop riding in cars with your feet on the dash!!! Not only do we not want to see the dogs, but if you get in a car accident, you will either lose your legs in the impact or knee yourself on the face from the force of the airbag and break something."

6."Having kids around lawnmowers—I work in healthcare, and we see so many accidental amputations and severe injuries from kids falling off mowers and getting run over by adults who don't see them while playing outside. The picture of dad and son sitting together on the lawn mower is cute, but make sure the blade is UP."

—Anonymous

On the topic of lawnmowers, "Not wearing closed-toe shoes while mowing the lawn. I know someone who was mowing in flip-flops; something went very wrong, and he lost his pinky toe. If he wore proper shoes, he still would have been injured, but he probably would still have his toe."

—oh, no thank you

7."Driving, working, buying or renting a house, or living without insurance. One lawsuit without insurance could see all your assets seized or your wages garnished for life. Not having life insurance could leave your family destitute; the same goes for no disability insurance. Why do you think GoFundMe is so popular?!? Get insurance!"

—Anonymous

8."Seasonal pony rides! I am an experienced horseman. I took a gig at a Christmas tree lot managing the pony sweep. They came in underweight, hoofs in poor condition, and one barely broke to ride. I told the concession not to use that pony. I took my break. I heard screaming and ran back. A father climbed onto the railing to take a flash video of his daughter on said pony, who was now bucking violently. I got the animal under control, not the father screaming at ME, not the owners. I quit. That little girl probably has permanent injuries."

—gabbaisharzad

9."Not knowing when a child was last dosed for fever or cold. My younger brother ended up having a seizure when he was 3 because my parents didn't communicate with each other about who gave doses of children's Tylenol to him, and they overdosed him! I was only 5 and remember being scared out of my head that he was going to die."

10."Pro-tip: If the general dentist refers you to an endodontist and writes a prescription for antibiotics, CALL IMMEDIATELY. You have bacteria in the core of your tooth. Your tooth is dying, and that bacteria is ready to hop into your bloodstream. Also, when they recommend a filling, get it done. The more it grows, the higher the cost and most insurance only covers crowns at 50%."

—mhfromnh

11."Picking relatively heavy things up quickly or in an imbalanced way. Lifting something heavier than common sense tells you or even doing things like tossing your kids around while playing (as they get to be 35, 40, or 60 lbs) is dangerous. The disks in our spine are often damaged by sudden application of weight. Once that happens, the related discomfort, sciatica pain, and loss of general physical capacity to work, stand, exercise, etc, can leave you with a truly compromised quality of life."

12."Driving next to a semi-trailer's tandem axles. The tires are rated at a maximum speed of 75 mph. Tire tread separation is common, and if your vehicle is near the flying pieces of the tire (commonly called a road gator), the vehicle can sustain heavy body damage, undercarriage damage, shattered windshield, or bust through the side window, striking the driver and passengers."

—Anonymous

13."Leaving anything flammable on top of the stove."

14."Getting on a roof to clean out gutters!"

15."Not trusting your body. I am in my 4th year of med school, so I see many people dismissing their symptoms because of fear of the doctor or financial burdens. I also have personal experience on this matter. When I was 15, I suddenly had a lot of pain in my abdomen that got so bad during the night that there was no way I could lie comfortably in bed. So, I, along with my parents, called the ER and explained my symptoms. They told me I probably had bad cramps (because I also just happened to be on my period) and said to take some ibuprofen."

"The next day, I vomited a lot and saw a weird yellowish substance, so I called the doctor's office, who sent me to the ER. There, they checked my blood for an infection and took my temperature. I had no fever or any indication of infection. In addition, they couldn't find my appendix on the ultrasound, and my pain was 'not bad enough to be appendicitis,' according to the doctors. They almost sent me home, but one doctor decided against protocol to take an MRI, which showed appendicitis so bad that the appendix had already burst, giving me peritonitis, which can be life-threatening. Had I been sent home, there was a good chance I wouldn't have made it. This event taught me to trust my body and gut (literally, in this case). I recommend people to do the same. You know what you feel, so you must trust your instincts! It might save your life."

—Anonymous

16."Putting your small kids on social media and even mentioning their names. Pedos are all over the web, copying and sharing those videos and pictures. Don't put your kids in danger just to get views on social media!"

17."Trampolines. In orthopedic surgery, we call them 'job security.' The injuries I've seen from trampolines are often worse than the injuries I've seen from football."

18."Using public e-bikes and motorized scooters without helmets or doubling up on riders. Have you ever seen a helmet after it's skidded against the concrete? The metal is peeled off in chunks. Now, imagine getting into the same accident without a helmet. I know many fellow healthcare workers who have seen some pretty horrific accidents on these things, many of them with fatal outcomes."

And finally:

19."Downplaying allergies. I have multiple severe allergies and two biology degrees, and the number of times I have had to explain to people that there is no such thing as a 'mild' allergy is just shocking. It doesn't matter if every allergic reaction you have had up until now has been 'mild,' the next time it could kill you, and no one knows what makes the body suddenly ramp up its response."

"The scary thing is this goes with hay fever, too. It is SO important that if you have any kind of allergy, you, at the very least, carry antihistamines with you at all times in case of emergency. It could save your life."

—Anonymous

Have any others to add? Let me know in the comments or by submitting at this anonymous form.

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.