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Dangerous or Just Fun? 80s and 90s Toys We Can’t Believe We Played With

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The 1980s and 1990s were vibrant decades for the toy industry, producing many beloved toys that are fondly remembered by those who grew up during this time. However, several of these toys would be considered dangerous by today’s safety standards. Here are some of the most iconic yet hazardous toys from the 1980s and 1990s:

 1980s Dangerous Toys

kid in cast.
Image credit Tricky_Shark via Shutterstock.

Did you play with any of these toys? Did you suffer any injuries?

Slip ‘N Slide

Slip and Slide.
Image credit Brocreative via Shutterstock.

   – Description: A long, plastic sheet that kids would slide down after wetting it with a hose.

   – Dangers: The Slip ‘N Slide caused numerous injuries, particularly spinal injuries, when used by teens and adults. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommended that only children use it, but even they were not immune to injuries.

Slap Bracelets

slap bracelets.
Image credit Dédé Wilson.

   – Description: Metal strips covered in fabric that would curl around the wrist when slapped.

   – Dangers: The metal inside could break through the fabric, causing cuts and bruises. Some schools banned them due to these injuries.

Lawn Darts (Jarts)

Fun,Outdoor,Children's,Game,Of,Lawn,Darts,Into,A,Ring
Photo Credit: Dr King via Shutterstock.

   – Description: Heavy, pointed darts meant to be thrown at a target on the ground.

   – Dangers: Lawn darts caused serious injuries and fatalities, leading to their ban in 1988. They were responsible for over 6,100 injuries and at least four deaths over an eight-year period.

Metal Playgrounds

Metal jungle gym.
Image credit HAKUTO via Shutterstock.

   – Description: Playground equipment made of metal, including slides and jungle gyms.

   – Dangers: These structures could become extremely hot in the sun, causing burns, and had sharp edges that could lead to cuts and puncture wounds.

Pogo Bal

Pogo Bal.
Image credit Dédé Wilson.

   – Description: A ball with a platform around it that kids would stand on and bounce.

   – Dangers: The lack of control often led to falls and injuries, including broken bones and sprains.

 1990s Dangerous Toys

Child in cast.
Image credit ltummy via Shutterstock.

The 90s didn’t see a huge increase in toy safety!

Sky Dancers

Photo credit: ToyRecall.
Photo credit: ToyRecall.

   – Description: Dolls with wings that would fly into the air when a cord was pulled.

   – Dangers: The unpredictable flight paths led to numerous injuries, including facial cuts, broken teeth, and even concussions. They were eventually recalled.

Snacktime Cabbage Patch Kids

cabbage patch doll.
Photo credit: Poshmark.

   – Description: Dolls that “ate” plastic food using battery-powered mechanical jaws.

   – Dangers: The dolls also chewed on children’s hair and fingers, leading to injuries. They were recalled in 1997, but you can still find them.

Moon Shoes

Moon shoes.
Image credit Dédé Wilson.

   – Description: Mini trampolines strapped to the feet.

   – Dangers: These shoes often led to falls, resulting in sprained ankles and other injuries.

Creepy Crawlers

recalled creepy crawlers.
Photo credit: Public Domain via CreativeCommons.

   – Description: A toy that allowed kids to create plastic bugs using a hot plate.

   – Dangers: The hot plate could cause burns, and the fumes from melting plastic were toxic[.

Yo-Yo Water Balls

Yo Yo Water Balls.
Image credit Dédé Wilson.

   – Description: Stretchy, liquid-filled balls attached to a string.

   – Dangers: They were said to be made from flammable diesel hydrocarbons (although that was found not to be true), these toys posed a strangulation risk and were banned in several states and countries.

 The Takeaway

girl with BandAid.
Image credit Phovoir via Shutterstock.

While these toys brought joy and excitement to many children in the 1980s and 1990s, they also posed significant safety risks. Advances in toy safety regulations and standards have since made playtime safer for children, ensuring that fun does not come at the expense of safety.

18 of the World’s Deadliest Foods: How Many Are You Eating?

mushroom.
Photo credit: Totajla via Canva.

Whether you eat to live, or live to eat, let’s make sure you live to see another day! These are some of the world’s deadliest foods. They can bring on extreme symptoms, ranging from paralysis to seizures, choking and even death, so don’t go tucking these into your lunchbox. Click for 18 of the World’s Deadliest Foods: How Many Are You Eating?

10 Of The Worst Tasting Drinks People Pretend To Like

tops of soda cans.
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Hold onto your taste buds, because we’re about to embark on a flavor-filled adventure through the realm of beverages! Sure, we all need water to survive, but let’s be real – drinks are so much more than just basic hydration. Recently, the question of which beverages people secretly think taste awful sparked a fiery debate. Boozy elixirs, non-alcoholic refreshments, and everything in between were thrown into the mix. Brace yourself as we unveil the truth behind the drinks we pretend to love. Get ready for a wild ride of taste revelations! Read 10 Of The Worst Tasting Drinks People Pretend To Like

12 Of The Worst Tasting Foods People Find Disgusting

woman disgusted at food.
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Food. We all have foods we love, foods we cannot stand – and then there are the foods that have people deeply divided. While wandering about an online forum we came across a discussion about foods that people find disgusting.

READ: 12 Of The Worst Tasting Foods People Find Disgusting

Alive or Dead? You Be The Judge… 15 Famous People Rumored To Be Alive After They Were Reported Dead

Elvis Star.
Photo credit: Nito103.

There are many celebrities who have been rumored to be alive after they were reported dead, either because of false reports, hoaxes, rumors or conspiracy theories. 

You be the judge…. Are they really alive or dead as claimed? Read: Alive or Dead? You Be The Judge… 15 Famous People Rumored To Be Alive After They Were Reported Dead