Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [safety]

The balance of benefit versus harm of an activity, device, technology or substance.

158 questions
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Does Honda Civic CNG fare well in crash safety tests as claimed by its manufacturer?

Honda touts great safety for their Civic CNG, but I have second thoughts concerning their fuel tank's safety in rear-end collisions. I looked for some tests and data, but could not find anything specific. I'd like to know before I buy.
GregC
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Are ladders more dangerous than guns?

You know, studies show that keeping a ladder inside the house is more dangerous than a loaded gun. That's why I own ten guns, in case some maniac tries to sneak in a ladder. - Grunkle Stan I've been watching Gravity Falls and episode 10 contains…
JohnEye
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What if everyone in a city flushed their toilets at once?

"The applied theory of price", by Donald N McCloskey claims: If all people flushed their toilets at once, the city water mains would burst. How much damage (if at all) will a drainage system in a modern city incur if every household flushed their…
ghosts_in_the_code
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Do airbags reduce the risk of death or serious injury, assuming seatbelt is properly worn?

None of the statistics I've seen on airbags' impact on safety/crash survival make any mention of seat belt usage. I think it's obvious that airbags make a big difference overall, but given the likely prevalence of seat belt misuse or non-use, it's…
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
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Is a weaver's knot more secure with both ends on the same side?

There are two different ways one can make a weaver's knot. One has both ends on the same side (a) the other on opposite sides (b). Pictures and a statement "the two free ends should end up on the same side of the knot" can be found on wikipedia and…
Jonas Stein
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Can surgical spirit and formaldehyde prevent blisters?

I saw the following claim in an article on Runner's World website: If your feet sweat profusely, this can increase the chance of blisters. Try soaking them in surgical spirit, or even better, three per cent formaldehyde solution once a day. This…
Tom77
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Were there armed guards at Columbine?

Ran across this editorial by Brandon Friedman in the NY Daily News: Arming teachers in the classroom will cost kids' lives ... There were armed guards at Columbine, the Pulse nightclub and in Las Vegas at the time of the massacre. At Parkland…
Daniel R Hicks
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Has 98% of Europe banned water fluoridation?

I came across this gem on facebook today. It contains no sources, makes a bold claim with a numerical statistic to "back it up", and has been "shared" and "liked" thousands of times in the last ~48 hours. Spotted at:…
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Does Charles Shaw wine contain animal blood & feces?

A post by Chris Knox on Quora was quoted on Gothamist, talking about Charles Shaw wine (aka "Two Buck Chuck"), says: "And it not only grabs ripe grapes, but unripe and down right rotten ones as well and throws them all together. Add to that leaves,…
user20862
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Snus or smoking tobacco: Which one is more harmful

Recently, governments in developed countries have been trying to reduce smoking. In Sweden, perhaps due to these efforts or because of the cold climate (because it's impossible to smoke outside in winter at -30 Celsius), it is difficult to find a…
msdundar
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Has the Javan devil leaf nettle (urtica urentissima) been shown to cause any deaths?

According to Sir Stephen Tallents, writing in The Spectator, 12 March 1943: The sting of a certain Java nettle, for example, may last for a year and is reputed even to cause death. Mrs. M. Grieve, writing on Botanical.com repeats the claim but…
gerrit
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Has 2017 been the safest year in commercial aviation?

President Trump seems to be implying that him being strict on commercial aviation led to 2017 having been "the best and safest year on record". When reading carefully, he does not claim that outright; it's merely a juxtaposition of two…
SQB
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If I am holding the pins of a plug whilst plugging it in, will I be electrocuted?

In electrical safety, it is often considered dangerous to be in contact with the pins of a plug whilst plugging it in. Does the plug need to be fully in for conductivity between the pins and socket to occur, or does electricity flow through the plug…
Ben Porter
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Is the risk of explosion increased by calling and charging a cell phone at the same time?

I have often heard that charging a cell phone and calling in the same time may cause the cell phone to explode. Here is a Facebook page that has pictures of what is claimed to be one such example. [Caution: pictures may be distressing and may not…
Remi.b
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Is it bad to turn on a cell phone and electronic devices during a commercial flight?

Possible Duplicate: Are personal electronics a risk to commercial aviation? Flight attendants usually asks for cell phone to be switched off throughout the flight, and other electronic device (including ipods or phones set to flight mode) during…
Louis Rhys
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