Metal Playgrounds of Doom
Do you remember going down a metal slide in the middle of summer? It’s crazy to think that playgrounds were all metal back then. You’d slide down, burn your legs, and climb right back up for another go. Somehow, we all survived.
Lead Paint Loving
Back in the ‘70s, no one thought twice about lead paint. It made walls and furniture look bright and shiny, so everyone used it. Kids played near it, and no one worried about the dust or flakes. Today, we know it’s toxic, especially for children.
Asbestos Everywhere
Asbestos was like the miracle material of the '70s-fireproof, cheap, and used in everything from ceilings to oven mitts. No one knew it could cause serious lung disease. Everyone was surrounded by it daily, just breathing it in without a clue.
Seat Belts Optional
Cars had seatbelts in the ‘70s, but no one used them. They were either tucked into the seat or ignored completely. Kids bounced around in the backseat while parents smoked up front. The idea of “buckle up for safety” clearly hadn’t caught on yet.
Mercury Mishaps
When thermometers broke in the ‘70s, kids played with the shiny mercury beads. No gloves, and no panic. It was fun. The truth is, no one knew they were poisonous. Fast forward a few decades, and now every broken thermometer is treated like a hazardous material spill.
Gasoline Sniffing
A bunch of kids discovered that gasoline fumes gave them a quick, dizzy high. Soon, everyone was trying it for kicks. It sounds crazy now, but it really happened. No one warned them how dangerous it was or the potential health risks.
No Helmet, No Stress
Riding a bike without a helmet was pretty normal in the ‘70s. Helmets were for “serious racers,” and everyone had scraped knees and a few head bumps to show off. Today, you’d get a lecture; back then, you'd get some serious bragging rights.
Fireworks Free-For-All
Did you know that you could buy fireworks anywhere back in the ‘70s? There were no safety rules and no warnings. It was all fun until someone got burned. And even then, you laughed it off and carried on. Supervision? Well, that was optional.
Wobbly Car Seats
Car seats were more like flimsy cushions with straps. They weren’t secured properly, and safety standards didn’t exist. In the ‘70s, parents just used pillows or booster pads, and kids sat wherever they fit. It was chaos, sure, but it worked.
Leaded Gasoline Days
Cars ran on leaded gas. And those fumes filled the air. The smell was strong, but no one batted an eye. It wasn’t until much later that people learned their leaded gasoline was polluting the air and causing health risks. Ignorance truly was bliss.
Garden Hose Water
Everyone drank straight from the garden hose on hot days. The water was warm, metallic, and a little rubbery - but that didn’t matter. No one thought about bacteria or chemicals in the hose, and it was just the best way to have a drink and cool down after running around all day.
Sunscreen? What’s That?
Getting a sunburn in summer was like a rite of passage for kids and adults in the ‘70s. People used baby oil or tanning spray instead of sunscreen. The goal was a deep bronze tan, not protection. Forget skin cancer - the only thing on anyone’s mind was the perfect tan.
Truck Bed Adventures
Kids loved riding in the back of pickup trucks—no seats, no belts—just the open air and freedom. Parents didn’t think twice about it. It was super fun until the truck hit a bump and everyone bounced. These days, it’d earn you a hefty fine.
Open Medicine Cabinets
A medicine cabinet full of pills and no lock? That was pretty normal in the ‘70s. Kids could easily grab anything that looked interesting. There were no warnings and no safety locks. It wasn’t until much later that parents realized just how dangerous that could be.
No Childproof Lids
Pill bottles opened really easily in the ‘70s, even for toddlers. All it took was a twist and a pop, and you were in. Kids treated pills like candy, and today’s childproof caps didn’t exist. Parents hoped that “common sense” was enough. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
Skating Without Pads
Skateboarding was just getting popular, and no one wore knee pads or helmets. Falls were all part of the fun, and you’d limp home with bruised knees, bragging about it. Safety gear just wasn’t cool back in the ‘70s, and many of us have the scars to prove it.
Tap Water Roulette
Can you imagine drinking water straight from the tap with no filter? In the ‘70s, this was considered normal. Sure, it sometimes tasted funny, but no one cared. Years later, people discovered it contained lead and other nasty stuff.
Toxic Cleaning Time
Cleaning in the ‘70s meant using strong, chemical-filled sprays and liquids with no gloves or masks. The smell was so strong it made you cough, but that meant it was “working.” Ventilation and skin irritations were all a part of it, and clean homes came before clean lungs.
Death by Lawn Dart
Lawn darts were all the rage in the ‘70s. And no, they weren’t the same as the ones we use today. Back then, they were sharp, heavy metal darts that could take an eye out if you weren’t careful. They were later banned for some pretty obvious reasons.
No Peanut Butter Panic
No one talked about food allergies back in the day. Kids traded peanut butter sandwiches like currency, and no one worried about it. Today, schools are strict about food allergies, and you can’t just pack anything in your kids' lunch anymore.
Fumes and Heaters
Do you remember those unvented kerosene heaters growing up? They kept homes warm—but also filled rooms with fumes. The smell was strong, sure, but people thought that meant it was working. Carbon monoxide just wasn’t on anyone’s radar yet.
Cars Without Cushions
Here’s a fun fact you probably didn't know: cars didn’t have airbags in the ‘70s. Steering wheels and dashboards were hard metal, and seat belts were optional. Safety wasn’t the selling point—style was, and people survived on luck more than anything else.
Toys That Could Kill You
Toys in the ‘70s came with tiny parts, sharp edges, and no warnings like you’d see today. Choking hazards were everywhere. Kids chewed, swallowed, and broke toys like it was nothing, and parents just said “Be careful,” and went on with their day.
Pools Without Fences
Backyard pools were open and inviting - and totally unfenced. Toddlers wandered way too close all the time. Today, there are laws and alarms, but back in the ‘70s, it was just part of summer fun. Risky? Yes. Normal? Also yes.
Shocking Arcades
Arcade machines of the ‘70s sometimes had dodgy wiring and metal parts that gave you little shocks. Kids didn’t mind, though, and they just played on. There were no safety checks or grounding—just flashing lights and high scores. It was all part of growing up in the ‘70s.
No CPR Know-How
Most people didn’t know CPR. If anyone choked, fainted, or got hurt, people panicked and waited for help rather than trying to help. There were no community classes or YouTube tutorials. Emergencies were handled by the professionals who were trained to help.
Mystery Meals
Food without nutrition labels? That’s unheard of today. But, back in the ‘70s, people had no idea what was in their cereal or frozen dinners. All that mattered was that it tasted good. Things like low-fat weren’t even a concept yet, and food was eaten to be enjoyed.
Fire? What Fire?
Today, you won’t find a home that doesn’t have a smoke detector. But, back in the ‘70s, very few homes had them, and fire escape plans just weren’t a thing. If a fire started, it was pure chaos with everyone scrambling to get out. Safety drills were for school, not home.
Blow Dry and Die
Hair dryers and sinks don’t mix, right? Well, in the ‘70s, all bathrooms had outlets for hair dryers, electric shavers, and anything else you wanted to plug in. People styled their hair right next to running water without giving it a second thought. Wild, right?
Backyard Bonfires
People burned just about anything in their backyards in the ‘70s. We’re talking leaves, trash, and even old furniture. The air was filled with thick smoke, and no one complained. It was quite normal to smell burning stuff in the neighborhood.
Babies Sleep Safety
In the ‘70s, parents were told to lay babies to sleep on their stomachs because it “helped digestion.” No one knew it would be risky. Cribs were also full of pillows and blankets. Sure, it looked cozy, but safety standards just weren’t a thing compared to today.
Unlocked Front Doors
Did you know that very few people actually locked their doors when they left the house? Sure, there was crime, but not on the same level as we have it today. You could walk out of your house and come back later, and everything would still be in its place. Mind-boggling!
