1. Metal Compasses
They were supposed to help kids draw perfect circles in geometry class, but mostly they just stabbed through pencil cases—and fingers. These pointy metal tools had sharp ends that could puncture skin with the slightest slip. In many classrooms, they doubled as makeshift swords during recess battles. Teachers quickly learned to keep a close eye on students using them unsupervised.
While some schools moved to safer plastic versions, the classic metal compass remained standard for years. There were multiple reports of eye injuries and deep cuts, especially in middle school. Ironically, most students never even used them properly. Instead, they became the most dangerous “educational” item in the average backpack.
2. Trapper Keepers with Sharp Plastic Edges
Trapper Keepers were a symbol of peak school cool in the ’80s and ’90s—but their hard plastic edges were an unexpected hazard. Kids often slammed them shut with force, not realizing the thick covers could pinch fingers. Some designs had snap closures or Velcro that wore out, leading to surprise flaps and whacks. There were also injuries caused when kids tried to modify or “sharpen” the edges into makeshift weapons.
The corners of the covers could scrape or jab during crowded hallway shuffles. And let’s not forget the aggressive binder rings inside that occasionally trapped fingers. Parents loved them for organizing homework, but they were basically office supplies disguised as toys. Somehow, they made paper cuts seem tame by comparison.
3. Mechanical Pencils with Thin, Breakable Lead
Mechanical pencils were supposed to be a sleek upgrade from wooden ones—but the constantly snapping lead told a different story. The lead was so thin it would shatter with the slightest pressure, often sending tiny shards flying. If someone happened to be leaning close while writing, those fragments could get in eyes. In some cases, kids even poked themselves or others accidentally while clicking the lead out too far.
The internal springs and sharp metal tips posed other risks. Curious students would sometimes dismantle them, only to stab themselves with internal parts. The pencils also encouraged fidgeting, leading to snapped pieces all over the classroom floor. Success in penmanship shouldn’t come with a side of impalement.
4. Backpack Overload
Backpacks were meant to help kids carry their books efficiently—but they quickly became spine-destroying monsters. By middle school, some kids carried 20+ pounds of textbooks daily. Doctors began warning about long-term back and shoulder damage as early as the 1990s. In some cases, overloaded packs led to tripping, falling, or even head injuries when they were swung around carelessly.
Some students tried wheeled backpacks, which created new hazards in crowded hallways. Straps could get caught on desks or lockers, yanking kids down mid-step. The classic two-strap design looked harmless, but improper use caused real problems. Who knew preparing for a math test could mess up your posture for life?
5. Safety Scissors (That Weren’t All That Safe)
Marketed as kid-friendly and harmless, safety scissors still managed to cause plenty of bloodshed. The rounded edges were dull, but the internal blades were still metal and capable of cutting skin. Kids would test their sharpness on things other than paper—like clothes, erasers, or hair. Accidental nicks were common during group activities or art time.
Even dull blades can do damage with enough force. Some scissors pinched fingers or caused blisters due to their stiff grips. Left-handed kids were especially vulnerable because most versions weren’t designed for them. Turns out “safe” was a relative term.
6. Erasers That Burned More Than They Fixed
You’d think erasers were the most harmless tool in a pencil case—but classroom dare culture ruined that. Kids would rub erasers on their skin as part of a bizarre challenge to see who could withstand the most friction. The result? Painful burns and open wounds that took weeks to heal.
Some erasers also contained chemicals or synthetic rubber that caused skin irritation. And the harder pink ones could scrape paper—and fingers—raw. What began as a tool for learning from mistakes became the source of new ones. Who knew correcting spelling errors could end in a trip to the nurse’s office?
7. Metal Lunch Boxes
Before soft insulated bags became the norm, metal lunch boxes were the go-to—and they were practically weapons. With sharp corners and heavy lids, they could deal real damage if swung or dropped. Kids used them for impromptu games of tag or even defense during schoolyard scuffles. Bumps, bruises, and even broken fingers weren’t unheard of.
The clasps often snapped shut suddenly, trapping small fingers inside. Some even rusted over time, introducing the charming risk of tetanus. Parents wanted to pack their kids healthy meals—but accidentally sent them off with steel traps. A thermos and a sandwich shouldn’t come with a side of first aid.
8. Glue Bottles and Sticks
Glue was meant to bring things together—but it often resulted in sticky fingers, ruined clothes, and minor injuries. Kids who bit the caps off bottles sometimes chipped teeth or swallowed glue. Others glued their fingers together, sometimes tightly enough to need help separating them. The strong smell of some glues also caused headaches or dizziness in poorly ventilated rooms.
And then there were the infamous “glue skin” incidents, where kids spread it on their hands and peeled it off like dead skin. Some overdid it and irritated their skin or caused minor chemical burns. In group projects, glue fights often broke out, with someone inevitably getting it in their eyes. Nothing says “academic bonding” like peeling Elmer’s off your palm for an hour.
9. Pencil Sharpeners (Especially the Handheld Ones)
The small metal sharpeners seemed innocent enough—until you realized kids were sticking other things in them. Fingers, crayons, even bits of eraser met their doom inside that tiny blade. The exposed blade could nick skin easily, especially when the sharpener jammed. Some kids even dismantled them out of curiosity, only to end up with a loose blade and a cut thumb.
The larger wall-mounted sharpeners weren’t much better. Those could pinch fingers if someone tried to sharpen a stubby pencil. Teachers had to monitor them closely to prevent accidents or damage to walls. It’s wild how something so basic could be so dangerous.
10. Rulers with Metal Edges
These rulers were supposed to make drawing straight lines easier—but they could double as slicing tools. The metal edge was sharper than it looked and could easily scrape skin. In the wrong hands, it became a disciplinary issue—or at least a weapon in desk-side duels. Students often drummed or flicked them, leading to accidental face smacks.
The problem got worse when rulers snapped. Those jagged edges turned into splinters, cutting hands and fingers mid-measure. The ones with embedded metal were banned in some schools after repeated injuries. Straight lines should never come at such a curved risk.
11. Dry-Erase Markers and Boards
Dry-erase markers were the colorful, modern alternative to chalk—but they brought a different kind of risk. The caps were small enough to be choking hazards, especially for younger students. The fumes from low-quality markers gave some kids headaches or nausea after long periods in poorly ventilated rooms. And ink-stained hands were nearly impossible to avoid.
Some kids even doodled on their skin, not realizing some markers contained chemicals not safe for absorption. Boards also had sharp metal edges or screws that stuck out if poorly mounted. Smacking hands on the board during a spirited lesson wasn’t uncommon. Just because it’s cleaner than chalk doesn’t mean it’s safer.
12. Rolling Chairs in the Computer Lab
Meant to make students more comfortable during long typing sessions, rolling chairs often led to disaster. Kids spun around or pushed off desks, leading to crashes and bruised knees. If the floor was even slightly uneven, chairs would tip without warning. Fingers got jammed in wheels, or kids fell backward trying to balance.
Schools started using locking wheels or replacing them with stationary chairs, but not before countless tumbles. In some cases, kids crashed into electrical cords and unplugged entire computer stations. Injuries ranged from sprains to full-on concussions. Maybe standing desks weren’t such a bad idea after all.
This post 12 School Supplies That Were Meant to Prepare Kids for Success—But Mostly Caused Injuries was first published on American Charm.
