Surprisingly Dangerous Items You Use Every Day

These days, experts advise taking a risk on your life at least twice daily. I'm talking about brushing your teeth twice a day, minimum. But see, because to one not-so-innocent ingredient—sodium fluoride—the seemingly harmless toothpaste that sits peacefully on every American counter offers a potentially fatal risk.

Don't get me wrong; not every toothpaste on the market has it, but the majority still does. But hold off on trashing your tube by running to the bathroom. Swallowing a little glob the size of a pea won't kill you. More substantial amounts are what I mean. It takes about eight toothpaste tubes, one by one, to be considered "run to the hills," as a toothpaste tube contains only 0.15% fluoride. Thus, toothpaste is completely harmless in theory.

Shall we head over to your residence and hunt for more threats? I don't personally own one, but if you do, you should use extra caution when using CFL light bulbs. The problem is that a lot of those lightbulbs contain mercury. Your ventilation system must be turned off immediately if one of these bulbs fails because if it isn't, the contamination will just get worse. After making sure everyone has left the room, open a window to let in some fresh air. Lastly, give the broken bulb's region a thorough cleaning. Address damp and dry surfaces with caution, and make contact with experts. Concerns around mercury vapors are unquestionably the greatest.

Consider the 2008 incident with a 55 year old Oklahoman man who attempted to use liquid mercury to extract gold from outdated equipment. He tragically died 10 days later after breathing in too much vapor. They had to demolish his house entirely due to the extreme level of contamination.

Now, you might grab some mothballs to eradicate the moths since you really don't want your beloved clothes to become harmed by them. But be careful—you could also be wiped out by those mothballs. Chemicals like paradichlorobenzene and naphthalene are typically included in them. These release gas when they come into contact with the air. It starts to smell really good, like mothballs. In addition to irritating your eyes and lungs, those fumes may give you headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Furthermore, there are worries that these compounds could be the source of serious illnesses that are incurable even with current medical treatments. Because naphthalene can damage red blood cells and cause hemolytic anemia, it poses a particular concern. Try replacing those balls with some classic lavender, then. It's not a favorite among moths.

It is imperative that you must watch out for the plants you bring inside your house, as some might be rather dangerous. Consider Dieffenbachia, also referred to as dumb cane. Its sap is said to have the ability to make your tongue enlarge to the point where it obstructs your airway. But is it truly possible? Both yes and no. It is true that this plant contains raphides, which are toxic little needle-like crystals, however before anything happens, someone needs to actually chew on a leaf. If not, you can merely experience a brief burning sensation or see some redness on your skin. Rarely, the region that came into contact with the plant may enlarge. It is generally uncomfortable to nibble on potted plants, so please refrain from doing so. This alert is mostly for your pets' protection, particularly that of cats.

Dieffenbachia can produce excruciating pain that can last for days or even weeks if it is in the mouth for an extended period of time. In some situations, a trip to the hospital may be required, particularly if the throat becomes inflamed, as this may impede breathing. However, the buzz about Dieffenbachia being a deadly toxin is untrue—it's just an urban legend. In summary, it takes a very stupid person to get poisoned by a stupid cane.

It turns out that power washing can be riskier than you would have imagined. Serious injuries may result from the extreme pressure, and additional damage may be caused by debris that is sprayed up quickly. If you do sustain an injury, infections can spread quickly, and if you don't obtain medical attention right once, things might get worse. You could end up with severe problems, possibly lose a limb, or worse. However, it's not that scary; just be careful not to put too much pressure on yourself.

I'd like to offer you a nice tip: don't neglect to clean your house every week, especially the bathroom. The risk increases with the amount of time you wait to clean it. Because bathrooms are known to be bacterial hotspots, frequent cleaning is crucial. Molds and mildews are not the kind of unpleasant guests you want lingering around, nor are salmonella, E. Coli, norovirus, or even Staphylococcus aureus. To put things in perspective, more than 200,000 colony-forming bacteria may be found on an ordinary toilet seat.

Another thing to remember is that you could unintentionally create a dangerous situation if you're not careful when cleaning. Chloramine is a hazardous gas that can be released when bleach and ammonia are mixed. Breathlessness and lung fluid accumulation are only a couple of the unpleasant symptoms that might result from those fumes. What do you think? You will most likely kick the bucket if it occurs, and no, not the one you use to mop the floors.

On a sweltering summer day, having air conditioning is definitely a blessing, but don't let that trick you into thinking there aren't risks involved. If your AC is on the older side, it may result in a number of problems. For instance, allergies, bacteria, and hazardous mold might be trapped in the ductwork and filters. People in your home may wind up coughing, wheezing, or stuffy noses if they aren't taken care of. Furthermore, an old AC unit may be a fire hazard. If older parts aren't changed, there may be a risk of a fire because they tend to produce more heat while trying to stay up. Another issue is bad wiring since many cables are hidden in difficult-to-reach places and are difficult to check. In order to reduce the chance of a fire, it is wise to have an older air conditioner cleaned thoroughly and to make sure that all of its parts and wiring are up to date.

It sounds like a dream come true to curl up under a warm electric blanket when the weather becomes cool, but electric blankets can burn people if they get too hot. When it comes to older models without an automatic shut-off option, this risk is very high. Thus, heating your bed and turning it off before you get in is the ideal approach to use such a blanket. Using an electric blanket raises the risk of heat stroke as well. Under electric blankets, two persons were once found unconscious in their beds. The body temperature of the first individual rose to a startling 106.2°F, whereas the second individual's temperature was 105.8°F. Therefore, although these blankets are comfortable, it's important to utilize them properly.

A little warning regarding windshield washer fluid: it includes methanol, which can be extremely potent if consumed. It can result in severe poisoning as well as headaches and dizziness. Be cautious to preserve it in its original container and store it safely. It is strictly forbidden to transfer it to unmarked bottles since it can be mistaken for water or other innocuous liquids. For an adult, 2 to 8 ounces of methanol is extremely dangerous; you get the idea. The windshield washer fluid that you pour into your car typically contains between 30 and 50% methanol, but concentrated versions that contain 90 to 100% methanol can be very potent. Just keep in mind that before using these items, they must be diluted with water.

Our best friend appears to be the final item on our list, especially if it's in the restroom. However, while air fresheners can add a nice aroma to your home, many of them also emit volatile organic chemicals that can accumulate over time and represent a major risk to your health, including the development of neurological disorders and incurable illnesses. If I were to give advice, I would advise you to be cautious and consider using natural substitutes or improving the ventilation in your house.

Got that? Good. That's it for today.