What everyday objects can pose a danger to our health and safety?

[BobG]

I know it can be funny to make light of getting a tie caught in a shredder, but today, I read more than a couple of stories where pets were injured badly by shredders. Common sense would have kept that from happen. I mean why can't people just unplug the shredder when they aren't using it? If you aren't going to do that, then at least get a shredder that will automatically shut off when a hand, finger, or paw is near it, you can found out more by going http://www.fellowes.com/Fellowes/site/safesense/default.aspx" .

Or by going here. I never really thought of what happens when people or animals with smaller appendages play near shredders.

I have noticed the new shredders at work have a clear plastic cover creating a slot to insert the paper into. You can't get any closer to the blades than about 6 inches unless you intentionally lift the plastic cover. Which probably makes 1"x1" post-it notes an office hazard, as well. Some people never think of just sticking them to a full-size sheet of paper (or between two full-size sheets of paper if they keep getting caught).

 

[DaveC426913]

Or by going here. I never really thought of what happens when people or animals with smaller appendages play near shredders.

You know, I am normally immune to stories such as this, but this one actually made my stomach flip.

 

[Artman]

Incandescent light bulbs. They get very hot to the touch, if you cover a lighted bulb with a piece of cloth or paper it can catch fire, they can break off in the socket, they are sharp when broken, they create an electrical hazard when they break off in the socket, if you drop one they can shatter all over the place. Also, if you inject one with gasoline, and then turn it on, it'll explode (saw it in a movie, so it must be true ). Deadly little buggers.

 

[Borek]

Does it make sense to implement systems dealing with specific pollutants that cost billions a year and potentially save 1 person per decade? Does it make sense to implement medical procedures that are irrationally costly?

I should ban myself for necroposting, but I remember this discussion and I just found these pages:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_of_life

http://www.cdc.gov/owcd/eet/CostEffect2/fixed/PrintAll.html

I was reading some article in Polish press and found information that CDC uses value of something like $7M per life when doing cost effectiveness analysis. At the moment I can't find this particular number, but at least it is obvious they apply exactly the kind of thinking I was referring to back in 2008.