Looking back at the 80s and 90s is a trip down memory lane. It was a time of mixtapes, neon colors, and the dawn of the internet. But it was also a time of questionable safety standards. We survived childhoods that would give today’s parents a panic attack. There were no helicopter parents, and “free-range” was just how kids were raised. We were blissfully unaware of the risks we took every day. It is a miracle we all made it to adulthood in one piece. Let’s take a nostalgic look at some of the most dangerous things everyone did back then. These memories make us wonder, how did we possibly survive?
Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks
On a hot summer day, nothing beat the feeling of the wind in your hair. The best place to experience this was in the open bed of a pickup truck. It was a common sight to see a group of kids sliding around in the back of a moving truck. There were no seatbelts, no protective covering, just pure, unadulterated freedom.
Today, this practice is illegal in most places and for good reason. A sudden stop or a sharp turn could have been catastrophic. But back then, it was just a normal way to get to the lake or a friend’s house. It was one of the most common dangerous things everyone did.
Drinking Water Straight from the Garden Hose
After hours of playing outside, we were thirsty. We did not run inside for a bottle of filtered water. We went to the nearest garden hose, turned on the spigot, and drank our fill. The water had a distinct, rubbery taste that was just part of the experience. We never thought twice about what might be in that hose.
Modern research shows that garden hoses can contain lead, BPA, and other harmful chemicals. These substances can leach into the water, especially when the hose has been sitting in the sun. We were essentially drinking a chemical cocktail, but it never seemed to do us any harm.
Playing Outside Until the Streetlights Came On
Our parents had one simple rule for summertime play: be home when the streetlights turn on. We had hours of unsupervised freedom. We would roam the neighborhood, build forts in the woods, and explore storm drains. Our parents had no idea where we were, and there were no cell phones to check in.
This level of independence is almost unthinkable today. We navigated our own social disputes and managed our own risks. While it fostered resilience and creativity, it also put us in countless potentially hazardous situations. We were lucky that our adventures usually ended with nothing more than a few scraped knees.
No Helmets, No Seatbelts, No Problem
Bicycle helmets were not a standard piece of equipment. We rode our bikes for miles without any head protection. We learned to ride by falling, getting up, and trying again. Similarly, seatbelt laws were not as strictly enforced. It was common for kids to ride in the front seat or even climb into the rear window ledge of the car.
Safety gear was seen as optional, not essential. The family station wagon was often a chaotic, seatbelt-free zone on road trips. We were fortunate to avoid any serious accidents. Our guardian angels were clearly working overtime.
Lawn Darts: The Lethal Backyard Game
Lawn darts, or Jarts, were a popular backyard game. The concept was simple: throw large, heavy, metal-tipped darts into a plastic ring on the ground. They were essentially miniature, brightly colored missiles. It was a game that required a surprising amount of skill and a huge amount of luck.
Countless stories of near misses and actual injuries circulated. It is shocking that a game involving throwing pointed metal objects was ever marketed to families. The game was eventually banned in the United States after being deemed too hazardous, but not before many of us had a chance to play it.
Using Sun-In and Baby Oil for Tanning
In the quest for the perfect summer glow, we threw caution to the wind. Sunscreen was an afterthought, if it was used at all. Instead, we would douse ourselves in baby oil to get a deeper tan. To get those coveted blonde highlights, girls would spray Sun-In in their hair, a product that essentially used the sun to bleach your strands.
We had no concept of UVA/UVB rays or the long-term risks of sun damage. A painful sunburn was just a temporary inconvenience; a sign of a day well spent at the pool. The potential for skin cancer was not part of the public consciousness.
Building Treehouses with Zero Safety Gear
A backyard treehouse was the ultimate childhood dream. We would gather scrap wood, old nails, and a hammer. With no adult supervision or architectural plans, we would construct rickety platforms high up in the trees. There were no safety harnesses, no level surfaces, and the structural integrity was questionable at best.
These treehouses were our private kingdoms, accessible only by a rope or a series of poorly spaced wooden slats. Falls were common, but somehow, we usually managed to escape with just bumps and bruises. It was a testament to the resilience of youth.
The Unbreakable Spirit of a Latchkey Kid
Reflecting on these dangerous things everyone did in the 80s and 90s is not about judging our parents. It was a different era with different norms. Our childhoods were filled with a sense of freedom and adventure that is rare today. We learned to be independent and resilient. While we can all agree that safety improvements like helmets and seatbelts are a good thing, there is a part of us that misses that unscripted, unsupervised, and slightly perilous world. We survived, and we have the stories to prove it.
We left out so many! What’s the most unbelievable, ‘how-did-we-survive’ thing you did as a kid in the 80s or 90s? Hit the comments and unlock a core memory for us!
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The post How Did We Survive? 7 Dangerous Things Everyone Did in the 80s & 90s appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
