Warnings we grew up with
Grandma said…
Don’t sit on cold stones. Wait an hour after eating before you swim. Which warnings did you grow up with? Hang yours on the wall – the editors check what was actually true.
Verdict: True. The glycyrrhizin in liquorice can raise blood pressure, and the Swedish Food Agency advises against eating a lot of it regularly. The odd piece is no problem.
Verdict: True. Long exposure to loud sound damages hearing permanently, and hearing loss and tinnitus are common among young people. The Walkman was more dangerous than it looked.
Verdict: True. Staring at the sun, for example during an eclipse, can cause permanent damage to the retina. Use proper eclipse glasses.
Verdict: True – for a landline. A lightning strike can send current down the phone line, and people have been injured that way. Cordless mobile phones are not dangerous to use indoors.