There’s no denying that the ‘90s were an iconic time, including memorable pop culture and lifestyle trends that defined a generation. But not everything from this time was as great as we actually thought they were. Here are some ‘90s favorites that, if they came out today, would be banned immediately. Why? Because they’re completely unsafe.
Lawn Darts
Lawn darts was a backyard game we’d play with our siblings and friends, which involved throwing large, metal-tipped darts into a circle. It was as dangerous as it sounded and sometimes led to serious injuries or even fatalities. It’s since been banned in the United States due to safety concerns, and for good reason.
Tanning Beds
In the ‘90s, everyone wanted to get a bronzed look year-round, with many people turning to tanning beds to get one. But research shows that using tanning beds too often can increase your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. Many people have been trying to get them regulated, especially for those under 18.
Inflatable Furniture
Inflatable furniture definitely looked trendy, especially if you were looking for a quick and affordable way to furnish your home. But, back then, what we didn’t think about was the fact that you can easily puncture and deflate this furniture, leading to injuries. Plus, they weren’t exactly comfortable to sit on.
Mercury Sneakers
During the ‘90s, every kid wanted to have a pair of sneakers with mercury switches that would light up with every step. They were an absolute hit, although many people became concerned about the mercury leaking if their shoes broke. This would expose kids to this toxic chemical and could create serious health problems.
Baby Walkers
Back then, you’d see baby walkers in almost every house, which were designed to support infants as they learned to walk. But, later studies found these walkers can cause accidents and even delay children’s motor and mental development. Lots of health professionals have encouraged parents not to use them, which would’ve been useful advice during the ‘90s.
Beanie Babies
Our next entry didn’t put us in danger physically, but it was still risky. Many people treated Beanie Babies more like gold than stuffed toys because they hoped they’d massively increase in value. But with the Beanie Baby bubble, people’s collections tanked in value and struggled to pay off the big dreams they were hoping for.
Fast Food Toys
If you were a kid back then, then the most exciting part of going to McDonald’s was getting a Happy Meal, as it came with a cool toy. Over time, the fast-food restaurant had to recall a ton of these toys because of choking hazards and harmful materials. Today, toys are manufactured in a much safer way.
Pogs
Pogs were everywhere in the ‘90s…until they weren’t out. It turns out that flinging small disks around can get kids pretty riled up, which meant that many schools started banning them just so that kids would relax during recess. Add in the fact they were also choking hazards, and you had a pretty dangerous toy.
Neon Food Dyes
Bright and colorful snacks might’ve looked cool, but those artificial colors were apparently messing with kids’ behavior. Many parents called for companies to use natural food colorings instead and better labels to tell us what’s actually in the food. And it worked, since many companies now use dyes from fruits and vegetables.
Rollerblading
As a teen in the ‘90s, rollerblading was the thing to do, but cruising without pads and helmets? That wasn’t so great. After a bunch of scraped knees and other injuries, many schools started making kids wear safety equipment and gave them classes on how to be safe when riding around, no matter how skilled they thought they were.
Bunk Beds
Yes, bunk beds were simple, but perhaps a little too simple. Older models didn’t have good safety rails, and plenty of kids took a tumble, which led to some serious injuries. Thankfully, new rules meant bunk beds must have better rails and safer ladders, while manufacturers are making them less wobbly to prevent accidents.
Magnetic Jewelry
Magnetic jewelry was fun until it wasn’t. As any parent knows, kids tend to put toys in their mouths, and those tiny magnets could be super dangerous if swallowed because they’d stick together inside the body. These days, there are plenty of warnings to keep them away from little ones, and there are even safer alternatives that give kids the same fun without the risk.
Scooter
At the end of the ‘90s, mini scooters were a blast, but riding around without safety gear meant many kids ended up in accidents. Soon enough, parents got the memo that helmets and elbow pads are a must for scooter safety. Many parks even have free helmet programs to keep kids safe from the get-go.
Gel Candles
Gel candles definitely looked cool, and they had a pretty unique smell, but there were some things that weren’t so great about them. For example, they had a nasty habit of burning way too hot or even exploding, and you don’t need to be a genius to know how that went. If you still want to use one, make sure you have a candle holder made specifically for gel candles.
Trampolines
Everyone loved jumping on a trampoline and doing cool tricks, but falling off? Not so much. Adding safety nets to them helped to cut down on the injuries, although everyone should still be careful when they’re bouncing around. Plus, putting them down on softer surfaces was also a great idea.
Slip ‘N Slide
No summer day was complete without a Slip ‘N Slide because they were perfect for beating the heat, although they were kind of a pain in more ways than one. There were reports of broken bones and even serious injuries, like neck injuries and brain injuries. In some cases, people even ended up paralyzed.
Waterbeds
Waterbeds were a huge hit in the ‘90s, and they were perfect for anyone looking for a night’s sleep that felt like you were on a cloud. However, the novelty soon wore off as leaks became more common, and the beds became a pain to move. And, of course, there was the huge risk of suffocation for infants. Not so great now, right?
Virtual Pets
In the ‘90s, virtual pets were a huge craze, thanks to the popularity of the Tamagotchi. The downside? All that screen time wasn’t great for kids’ eyes, and it kept them indoors for way too long. Today, lots of game developers have created apps that, yes, keep kids addicted, but they also encourage them to move around.
DIY Piercing Kits
Back in the day, DIY piercing kits were a cheap thrill, but skipping the professional route meant you were risking getting an infection. Things have changed a lot since then, and professional studios have much stricter hygiene practices, for which we’re very grateful. It’s quite crazy to think that, at one point, it was normal to do it at home.
Baby Bottles
It feels like plastic baby bottles have pretty much disappeared from the world today. What happened? Turns out, some of the plastic released dangerous chemicals like BPA that caused huge safety concerns. Nowadays, parents prefer BPA-free bottles or even glass ones instead because they’re much safer, in theory.
Hoverboard
Stepping onto a hoverboard felt like you were stepping into the future, and they were the must-have gadget of the ‘’90s. But then there were the fire risks. Some of them had faulty batteries, which caused them to catch on fire and led to better safety regulations. It’s also one of the reasons they’re not so popular anymore.
Radium Dials
Glowing radium dials looked really cool…until we realized that radium was a health hazard that could cause cancer. So, watchmakers have switched to different materials that are much safer but also stay lit up. Now, you can check your watch in the dark without any chemical risks, although we can’t guarantee you won’t bump your wrist.
Puzzle Glue
One of the most unique ways to make art in the ‘90s was to use glue to stick puzzles together. Sounds good, right? And it was, until we realized that the fumes from some glues were actually toxic. Thankfully, we’ve got better options to do the same today, and we can put our masterpieces together safely.
Candy Cigarettes
It’s not hard to see why candy cigarettes were so dangerous, so it’s strange we never realized it at the time. They were basically advertising smoking to kids and encouraging them to pick up this habit when they got older. Plus, the amount of sugar in these treats wasn’t exactly good for them either.
Paintball
Yes, playing paintball is fun and teaches people about strategy, but it’s no fun getting hurt, and the game has changed to become much safer. Now, people have to wear masks and go to safety briefings before they even get their hands on one of the paintball guns. You can still play it, but it’s much less dangerous than it once was.
