12 School Supplies That Were Weirdly Dangerous
From sharp edges to strange fumes, some of our favorite classroom tools came with unexpected risks.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Back in the day, no one really questioned the safety of the stuff inside our backpacks. However, looking back, it’s wild how many school supplies had the potential to poke, slice or even poison us. Here are 12 common classroom items that were surprisingly hazardous, yet totally normal at the time.
1. Metal Compass Sets
Radomil on Wikimedia Commons
With a razor-sharp point and a rigid arm, the classic compass was practically a mini weapon. Kids used them more for stabbing erasers than drawing circles.
2. Liquid White-Out
J B on Flickr
Before correction tape, there was that strong-smelling bottle of White-Out. The fumes alone could knock you sideways, especially if someone popped the cap off for fun.
3. Paper Guillotine Cutter
Brian Herzog on Flickr
That massive blade in the teacher’s corner looked like something out of a horror movie. Watching it slice through a stack of paper was mesmerizing but terrifying.
4. Metal-Tipped Rulers
Ejay on Wikimedia Commons
Wooden rulers with steel edges were perfect for underlining and avoiding accidental cuts. A quick swipe could draw blood if you weren’t careful. Kids used them as swords during indoor recess.
5. Backpack Zippers
Miia Sample on Flickr
Chunky zippers with sharp teeth could snag skin in a second. Getting pinched while rushing to open your bag was a rite of passage.
6. Staples and Staple Removers
Andre Engels on Wikimedia Commons
Staples seemed harmless until someone decided to shoot them like mini darts. Those claw-like removers? Pure nightmare fuel.
7. Pencil Sharpeners (Wall-Mounted)
Noisy Little Monkey on Flickr
These chunky sharpeners ate pencils alive — and sometimes fingers. The grinding noise alone was enough to make you flinch. Getting a pencil stuck in one was risky business.
8. Scissors with Metal Blades
Mike Bird on Pexels
Labeled “kid-safe,” but still sharp enough to snip skin if misused. They always ended up in paper-throwing battles or impromptu haircuts.
9. Highlighters with Chemical Smell
Volodymyr Kondriianenko on Unsplash
Bright, bold, and oddly addictive to sniff — highlighters often smelled like toxic neon markers. Some brands left streaks on your skin or stained desks for days.
10. Glue (Especially the Clear, Sticky Kind)
Apfenn1 on Wikimedia Commons
Between the fumes, the sticky mess, and kids eating it “just because,” glue was a health hazard in disguise. Some types would bond skin instantly.
11. Mechanical Pencils with Breakable Leads
PNW Production on Pexels
Snapping pencil leads launched tiny projectiles across the room. They also had sharp metal tips that poked through pockets and fingers. Kids used the ejector like a toy trigger.
12. Chalk Dust and Erasers
Diana ✨ on Pexels
Breathing in clouds of chalk dust while cleaning the board was practically a punishment. The dust irritated eyes and lungs, especially for anyone with asthma.