The Things Every Lubbock Kid Was Convinced Would Kill Them

I learned some really important life lessons about danger growing up in Lubbock. It's basically everywhere. Some threats are real. Some are massively exaggerated. Others are just silly.

Whether you were afraid of quicksand swallowing you alive or a piece of gum living in your stomach for 7 years, here's a list of things that totally freaked out Lubbock kids in the 90s.

1. Tornadoes

Photo by Greg Johnson on Unsplash

This is a big-time number-one in Lubbock. We were all totally certain a tornado would scoop us up and carry us away. It was probably the only real fear we needed to worry about out of this entire list, truthfully. But, yes, Lubbock kids thought tornadoes were coming for them sooner or later.

2. Quicksand

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Really thought this one was going to be a bigger issue when I grew up. Turns out, you run into quicksand relatively few times in your life, if ever at all. Bummer. No dramatic rescues happening in your future.

3. Swallowing Gum

Photo by Hunter Newton on Unsplash

Someone's brother's friend told you that if you swallowed gum, it would live in your stomach for 7 years...or forever. For some of us, this was a big stressor. According to science, all of that was BS. You can rest easy, but probably shouldn't swallow any gum...just to be safe.

4. The Bermuda Triangle

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Nothing was more fascinating or terrifying to a 4th grader than hearing about the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Why were we so worried, though? We live in West Texas. We were all little idiots.

I'm still a little concerned. Whatever.

Read More: Rediscovering Nostalgic Comfort Foods For Gloomy Lubbock Weather

5. Razor Blades and Drugs in Halloween Candy

Photo by Sebbi Strauch on Unsplash

Dumb. This one was the silliest of them all. If you're still afraid of this, you're a certified suckaaaa.

6. Piranhas

Photo by Sofia Rotaru on Unsplash

Yes. In Buffalo Lake. In our above-ground pool. Wherever they might be lurking. You never knew when one was going to get a taste for your toes.

7. Lightning

Photo by David Moum on Unsplash

It was quite scary in Lubbock, so I think this fear is valid.

8. The Chupacabra

Photo by Andy Li on Unsplash

Some of my friends swore they were real. I've never seen one...but there's still time.

9. Spontaneous Combustion

Photo by Tobias Rademacher on Unsplash

Hey, it could happen...

Looking back, it's funny how much time we spent worrying over silly things that probably would never happen. I mean, the tornadoes definitely could have. But, I'm pretty sure the Bermuda Triangle isn't to blame if anyone goes missing in Lubbock.

Keep scrolling for other silly fun in the galleries below...