1. Lawn Darts (a.k.a. Jarts)
Backyard barbecues in the ’70s and ’80s often included a round of lawn darts, but these weren’t the lightweight plastic toys we see today. These darts were heavy, with sharp metal tips meant to stick into the ground, and when kids got involved, accidents were almost inevitable. Despite warnings, many families saw them as just another way to entertain guests outdoors.
It wasn’t until thousands of injuries and even a few fatalities that the dangers became undeniable. By the late ’80s, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned them outright. Yet, for years before that, Jarts were as mainstream as potato salad and soda at a summer cookout.
2. Cigarette Ads Targeting Teens
Smoking was everywhere in the ’70s and early ’80s, and cigarette ads weren’t shy about glamorizing it. From rugged cowboys to cartoonish mascots, the marketing made it seem rebellious and cool, especially to impressionable teenagers. It was so common that few people thought twice about how directly these ads were aimed at kids.
As the health risks of smoking became harder to ignore, campaigns like these were eventually shut down. But for a long time, teens could flip through magazines or watch TV and see cigarettes portrayed as a ticket to adulthood. It’s shocking now, but back then, it was just part of the cultural wallpaper.
3. Platform Shoes
Towering platform shoes became fashion staples during the disco era of the ’70s, and their popularity spilled into the early ’80s. They looked fun and flamboyant, but walking in them was a whole different story. People stumbled, twisted ankles, and even broke bones trying to strut their stuff in these sky-high shoes.
The fad didn’t stop at nightclubs, either. Platforms went mainstream, showing up in everyday wear, making sidewalks and staircases hazardous zones. They’re remembered as stylish, sure, but also as one of the most impractical trends to actually live in.
4. Waterbeds
When waterbeds hit the mainstream, they were marketed as futuristic and luxurious. Advertisements promised better sleep and a sense of cool sophistication, and they became must-haves in bedrooms across America. But what many people didn’t consider was just how tricky they were to maintain.
Leaks were a nightmare, leading to ruined floors and furniture, and the beds themselves were heavy and difficult to move. Some even caused back issues instead of solving them. For a fad that once seemed revolutionary, waterbeds turned out to be a lot more trouble than they were worth.
5. Tanning Beds
In the late ’70s and especially through the ’80s, a deep bronze tan was the ultimate sign of health and beauty. Tanning beds popped up everywhere, promising a golden glow without the beach trip. Teens and adults alike flocked to them, not realizing the serious risks of UV exposure.
By the time the long-term effects became known, including heightened risks of skin cancer, the fad had already become part of mainstream beauty culture. What felt like a harmless way to keep up appearances was actually one of the most dangerous fads of its time.
6. Acid-Wash Jeans
The ’80s brought in acid-wash jeans, which looked edgy and cool, but the way they were made was anything but safe. Factories used harsh chemicals like bleach and pumice stones to achieve the unique patterning. Workers often faced dangerous conditions, inhaling fumes and handling caustic substances.
Despite the risks behind the scenes, these jeans became a fashion staple. People wore them everywhere, unaware of the dangers in their creation. It’s a reminder of how little thought was given to the process behind popular trends at the time.
7. Hitchhiking
By the ’70s, hitchhiking was practically a rite of passage for adventurous young people. It was seen as a free-spirited way to get around, tied to the culture of independence and rebellion. But alongside the romanticized version came serious dangers, as countless crimes were connected to it.
Despite warnings, it was so common that even parents sometimes didn’t think twice about their kids thumbing a ride. Movies and music glamorized it, keeping the trend alive far longer than it should have been. Today, hitchhiking feels like one of those dangerous habits from the past we can’t believe was once so ordinary.
8. Leaded Gasoline
In the ’70s and early ’80s, cars ran on leaded gasoline, and few people thought twice about it. The convenience of filling up at the pump overshadowed the toxic reality of what was being released into the air. Kids growing up during this time inhaled lead without realizing how dangerous it was.
Eventually, research linked leaded gas to serious health issues, especially in children, leading to its gradual phase-out. But for decades, breathing in leaded fumes was a daily part of life. It’s startling now to think how long such a dangerous practice was accepted.
9. High-Fructose Corn Syrup Explosion
By the late ’70s and into the ’80s, high-fructose corn syrup was marketed as a miracle sweetener. It was cheap, easy to produce, and quickly replaced sugar in sodas, snacks, and fast food. Nobody thought much about it at the time, and it became a staple in almost everything on grocery store shelves.
Only later did we start to understand its links to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. But during its rise, it wasn’t just accepted, it was celebrated as progress. The fact that it went so mainstream so quickly shows how easily health risks can get buried under marketing.
10. Perms with Harsh Chemicals
The ’80s hair craze was all about big volume, and perms were the ticket to achieving it. But the chemicals used to create those tight curls were intense. Sitting in a salon chair often meant inhaling strong fumes while harsh solutions were applied directly to the scalp.
People did it anyway, chasing that signature look, and salons were packed with customers willing to endure the process. Over time, the damage to hair and even skin became clear, but perms remained mainstream for years. Beauty often won out over safety in that era.
11. Snack Foods with Trans Fats
The ’80s snack aisle was packed with foods loaded with trans fats. From cookies to microwave popcorn, they were marketed as convenient and tasty, with little attention to what they did to the body. Doctors eventually found that trans fats were among the worst things you could consume for heart health.
But at the time, these snacks were part of everyday life. Families stocked them without a second thought, not realizing the long-term consequences. Looking back, it’s shocking how common these products were, considering what we now know about their risks.
12. Boom Boxes at Full Blast
Portable music players in the form of giant boom boxes were an iconic part of the ’80s. People carried them everywhere, blasting music at top volume, often on city streets or in parks. It was fun and a symbol of personal expression, but it also came with hidden dangers.
The loud volumes posed serious risks to hearing, especially for those who kept their headphones cranked up to match the same level. Noise-induced hearing loss became more common, but in the moment, the joy of blasting your favorite cassette tape overshadowed the risks.
13. The Grapefruit Diet
In the late ’70s and early ’80s, the Grapefruit Diet gained traction as a quick weight-loss method. It claimed that eating grapefruit with every meal could burn fat more quickly. People jumped on the trend, hoping for fast results without considering the risks.
The reality was that it was nutritionally unbalanced and could lead to dizziness, fatigue, and even serious health complications. Still, it was splashed across magazines and became a household term. It’s one of those diets that shows how far people were willing to go for a quick fix.
14. Home Tanning Reflectors
Before tanning beds became widespread, many people tried to speed up their sun tans with reflectors. These shiny aluminum or foil-like panels directed the sun’s rays straight at the face, intensifying the exposure. Teens especially used them, lounging in backyards or by the pool.
The immediate results were burns, peeling, and long-term skin damage, though most didn’t realize the risks at the time. Looking back, it’s wild to think that reflectors were sold and used so casually. They went hand-in-hand with tanning oils, making the practice even riskier.