The article highlights shocking childhood practices from years gone by that many older adults reflect on with disbelief. Dangerous activities included a lack of proper car safety measures for children, letting kids babysit each other, and allowing dogs to roam freely. Playground safety was virtually nonexistent, with children climbing on hard surfaces and risking serious injuries. Additionally, outrageously risky toys and unsafe environmental conditions, such as exposure to insecticides and broken glass, were common. This nostalgic reflection underscores how far safety standards have evolved over the years.
"There was a lack of car seats for infants and toddlers. Even after laws were in place, there was a definite lack of car safety."
"Letting young children babysit each other. When I was 7, I remember my parents letting my 9-year-old brother babysit my younger sister and me... we almost burned the house down."
"Plenty of dogs would just roam the neighborhood when I was a kid without leashes or anything, and sometimes they'd chase cars."
"In the '70s and '80s, we'd climb on metal jungle gyms and go on monkey bars that were built on blacktop... I'm certain that Gen X is a treasure trove of untreated childhood head injuries."
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