1. Easy-Bake Ovens With Real Heating Elements
Yes, the beloved Easy-Bake Oven used actual incandescent bulbs that got hot enough to cook food—and burn tiny fingers. They reached temperatures up to 350°F, all inside a plastic toy. Kids could (and did) get their hands caught trying to retrieve their culinary masterpieces. No parental gatekeeping necessary; you could literally cook cake batter with a glorified desk lamp.
Today’s models are a lot safer, using lower-heat elements and improved design. But back then, safety features were minimal, and kids regularly got burned. OSHA would be appalled at the lack of ventilation and exposed heating parts. And yet, for many of us, that was our first taste of independence—and also of slightly burnt brownies.
2. Chemistry Sets That Included Real Chemicals
Kids’ chemistry sets used to come with actual glass test tubes and real, sometimes hazardous, chemicals like potassium permanganate and even sulfur. No childproof caps, no gloves, no goggles—just you, some flammable compounds, and a dream. The idea was to inspire future scientists, but a lot of kids just ended up with singed eyebrows. Instruction manuals weren’t much better, casually suggesting experiments that created minor explosions or released toxic fumes.
Today, most chemistry kits are heavily regulated and come with safety gear and diluted compounds. Back then, parental supervision was more of a suggestion than a rule. OSHA would absolutely cringe at the thought of an unsupervised 10-year-old whipping up a chlorine reaction in the garage. But hey, that’s how future chemists (and neighborhood evacuations) were made.
3. Lawn Darts (a.k.a. Jarts)
Back in the ‘80s, families used to play with metal-tipped lawn darts like it was no big deal. These weren’t the soft, kid-friendly versions you’ll find today—they had heavy, pointed ends designed to pierce the ground. That meant they could (and did) cause serious injuries when they missed their mark. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned them in 1988 after reports of multiple injuries and even deaths.
Despite their eventual ban, lawn darts remained a fixture in suburban backyards for years. The idea of kids hurling sharp metal projectiles into the air while other kids ran around nearby is the kind of thing that would send OSHA inspectors into cardiac arrest today. It’s hard to believe something so dangerous was marketed as family fun. Thankfully, modern versions are much safer, using weighted plastic instead of metal spikes.
4. Metal Slides That Doubled as Frying Pans
Playgrounds in the ‘80s and ‘90s featured towering metal slides that baked under the summer sun like they were preparing for a barbecue. These slides could get hot enough to be dangerous during the summer. And yet, there was zero padding or heat warning—just some kid in cutoffs daring others to try it first. You’d land at the bottom on a bed of gravel, dirt, or maybe some ancient wood chips.
OSHA would have a field day writing up violations today. Modern playgrounds use heat-resistant materials and softer landing surfaces like rubber mulch. But back then, scorching your thighs was just part of summer. It’s amazing more kids didn’t end up in the ER with third-degree playground injuries.
5. Trampolines With No Nets or Padding
In the ‘80s and ‘90s, backyard trampolines were basically giant slingshots for kids with no concept of mortality. There were no safety nets, no padding over the springs—just bare metal and ambition. Kids would double-bounce each other to the moon, and if you flew off, well, try to land in the grass instead of on the sidewalk. Broken arms and sprained ankles were practically badges of honor.
Modern trampolines are surrounded by safety enclosures and spring padding thanks to increased awareness of injury risks. But back then, getting launched off the edge was just part of the fun. OSHA would look at those old-school models and start hyperventilating. It’s a miracle more of us didn’t end up in full-body casts.
6. Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks
There was a time when piling into the open bed of a pickup truck was not only accepted, it was practically a rite of passage. Kids would bounce around back there like soda cans while their parents cruised down highways. No seatbelts, no restraints—just wind in your face and the occasional bug in your teeth. It was dangerous, but also weirdly fun.
Today, most states have laws against unrestrained passengers in pickup beds, especially children. OSHA wouldn’t just have a heart attack—they’d shut the whole operation down. It’s one of those nostalgic memories that looks completely unhinged through a modern safety lens. But back then, it was just called “going to Dairy Queen.”
7. Toy Guns That Looked Too Real
In the ‘80s and ‘90s, toy guns were often exact replicas of real firearms. No orange safety tips, no bright colors—just solid black or silver plastic that could fool anyone, including law enforcement. Kids would run around the neighborhood playing “cops and robbers,” sometimes getting mistaken for actual threats. Tragically, there were incidents where this confusion led to police shootings.
Today, toy gun manufacturing standards are much stricter, with federal laws requiring bright markings and distinctive coloring. OSHA and consumer safety groups now recognize the lethal consequences of that design oversight. It’s a grim example of how playtime design choices can have real-world implications. But at the time, realism was seen as a selling point, not a hazard.
8. Smoking Sections—Everywhere
Airplanes, restaurants, and even some schools had designated smoking sections well into the ‘90s. But the idea of a “smoking section” on a plane—essentially one smoky tube in the sky—is particularly baffling today. Smoke doesn’t respect borders, and everyone onboard ended up breathing it in. Secondhand smoke risks were poorly understood or widely ignored.
Now, we have strict smoking bans in most public indoor spaces, especially where children or workers are exposed. OSHA would lose its mind seeing a preschool teacher on break lighting up in the teachers’ lounge. Public health standards have come a long way since then. But for many of us, that lingering cloud of Marlboro was just part of daily life.
9. Mercury Thermometers in Every Medicine Cabinet
Before digital thermometers became standard, nearly every household had a glass thermometer filled with mercury. If you dropped one (and many of us did), the mercury would bead up and scatter across the floor like some kind of sci-fi goo. Few people realized it was toxic or knew how to clean it up properly. It was treated more like an inconvenience than a chemical hazard.
OSHA now classifies mercury as a serious health risk, and most thermometers with mercury have been phased out. Back then, nobody batted an eye when a kid bit down on one during a fever check. The idea of storing toxic liquid metal inches from a baby’s crib seems downright insane now. But that was just standard medical gear in 1989.
10. Wood-Burning Sets for Kids
A popular crafting toy from the ‘80s and early ‘90s was the wood-burning kit—basically a soldering iron for children. It reached 600°F and came with interchangeable metal tips for carving designs into wood. Protective gloves were not included, and most instructions amounted to “don’t touch the hot end.” Of course, curious kids did just that.
Today, these are marketed more toward teens and adults, with safety precautions clearly outlined. But back then, it was sold alongside glitter glue and coloring books. OSHA would probably have to invent a whole new category of violation just to cover it. Somehow, it was considered a creative outlet instead of a branding hazard.
11. Rollerblading Without Any Safety Gear
Rollerblades hit peak popularity in the ‘90s, and no one wore a helmet—let alone wrist guards or knee pads. It was all about speed, tricks, and looking cool, even if you ended up with road rash from head to toe. Kids skated through traffic, down stairwells, and sometimes into hospital waiting rooms. Safety was an afterthought, if it was a thought at all.
Today, protective gear is strongly recommended and often required in skating venues. OSHA wouldn’t know where to begin with the reckless freedom we had. But back then, showing up padded like a gladiator was social suicide. You had to earn your bruises, not prevent them.
12. Car Seats That Were Basically Cushions
In the early ‘80s, car seats for kids looked more like booster cushions with straps than actual safety devices. Many lacked side-impact protection, proper harnesses, or anchoring systems. Some parents didn’t use them at all and just held their babies on their laps. Safety standards were still evolving, and enforcement was nearly nonexistent.
Today’s car seats undergo rigorous crash testing and must meet strict federal guidelines. OSHA would need backup just to audit how casually child safety was treated back then. Modern parents might gasp at old photos of kids snoozing across the backseat without a belt. But in the ‘80s, that was just considered a peaceful drive home.
This post 12 Everyday Items From the ’80s and ’90s That Would Give OSHA a Heart Attack Today was first published on American Charm.
