Some viral hacks can be more of a hazard than a help...
For busy parents, tips and hacks can be a lifesaver when it comes organisation, meal preparation, keeping the kids entertained and so on.
But just like with everything else, sometimes cutting corners leads to a bigger mess than you bargained for.
A number of viral hacks have gone viral for potential dangers, so if you're hack-fan, be sure to avoid these ones.
Hair styling with a vacuum
The internet is full of videos like this one that show parents and bloggers using the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner to style a quick and lump-free ponytail.
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While the above video shows them getting a neat and painless result, the same can't be said for others. Those with thicker or longer hair risk their mane getting tangled, as was the case with a
2016 TV demonstration of the technique that left the model in tears.
A blanket over the buggy
Many parents think they're protecting their child from the sun by putting a blanket over their buggy or pram. However, this is actually
extremely dangerous as it traps heat inside. Within a half hour, temperatures under the blanket can rise high enough to endanger your baby's life.
Mini fried eggs for breakfast
A mother on TikTok shared her hack for making her toddler enjoy an egg breakfast. In the video, she puts raw eggs in the freezer overnight, removes the egg shell the following morning, slices them, and fries them in a pan.
The video went viral and currently has over 1.6 million likes. However, it caught the attention of some safety experts who claim the hack is dangerous.
"Pedi ER doc & child safety expert here. This is not a safe way to prepare eggs," one wrote. "They should not be frozen in their shells. The FDA [US Food & Drug Administration] warns against this."
Another explained that the egg expands while freezing, causing the shell to crack and allowing for bacteria to get inside.
Dog toy treats
Another viral
TikTok video showed a baby playing with a dog toy filled with cereal. Usually these plastic balls are filled with dog treats that fall out as the ball rolls around.
But TikTok commenters pointed out there's a difference between a dog eating from the floor and a baby.
"Ohhh noo why can I imagine this rolling into cat litter or dog dodo and the baby eats it still?" one wrote.
On top of that, baby toys usually have to adhere to certain safety regulations in order to prevent choking and other safety hazards. Toys that might not pose risks to pets could pose risks to babies and young children.
