Magnets are pretty common in most households, whether they’re holding up photos on your fridge, showcasing your kids’ latest school achievements, or simply giving you a reason to smile. But there are definitely a few things you shouldn’t use magnets for. Some might seem funny, while others are more serious, but all are best avoided.
1. Eating Them: In recent years, toys made of tiny magnets have become more popular, leading to many reports of serious health issues when they’re swallowed. Swallowing just one magnet might not cause too much trouble, although it might stay in your system for a bit. However, swallowing two or more can be dangerous because the magnets can attract each other through your intestines, leading to blockages.
2. Rubbing Them on Your Credit Cards: Credit and debit cards have a magnetic strip that stores data for when you swipe them. Running a strong magnet over the strip can delete this data, leaving your card useless. Cashiers would then need to enter your card number manually and possibly even call your credit card company to approve the transaction. No one wants that hassle just to buy a cup of coffee.
3. Using Them as Fake Piercings: Attaching two small magnets to each other with a bit of skin in between might look like a piercing, but it’s a bad idea. Magnets strong enough to stay on through your skin can cut off circulation, damaging the tissue. Imagine the big purple bruise you could end up with once you remove your fake nose or belly button stud. Not worth it.
4. Putting Them Near a Pacemaker: Strong magnets can mess with the operation of a pacemaker, a device crucial for keeping a person’s heart beating steadily. While fridge magnets usually aren’t a risk, bigger magnets like those in MRI machines or industrial equipment can stop a pacemaker from working properly.
5. Trying to Bend Regular Silly Putty: Regular silly putty won’t respond to magnets, so don’t even try. But if you mix a tablespoon of ferric iron oxide powder (available at art supply stor