The hidden dangers in your kitchen, car and wallet
Most people don't realise how much risk is hiding in the things they buy every day. From the pan on your stove to the car in your driveway, Wendy Knowler unpacks the consumer warnings you need to hear before it's too late.
Ditch scratched nonstick pans now
According to a 2022 Australian study, a single scratch on a Teflon-coated nonstick pan can release around 9,000 microplastic and nanoplastic particles into your food during cooking, with heavily damaged pans shedding over 2 million.
These particles, part of the PFAS 'forever chemicals' family, are hard for the body to eliminate and have been linked to health risks including cancer, hormone disruption, and developmental issues.
The advice: Inspect your nonstick pans regularly. Once scratched or worn, replace them immediately. Switch to safer, durable alternatives like stainless steel or well-seasoned cast iron, which don’t shed plastic particles.
2. Takata airbag recall - could your car have the dodgy ones?
About 1.7 million South African cars are still equipped with faulty airbags that can turn into shrapnel-filled grenades during a crash. And listen up, East Coasters - heat and humidity make the internal propellant especially unstable.
Though no local deaths have been reported in relation to the Takata airbag recall, this defect has killed dozens globally.
The Automobile Association of SA warns of potential carnage, with that many local cars still being fitted with those potentially defective airbags. If your car was made between 2000 and 2019, find out if its airbags are part of the recall by calling the AA’s hotline and supplying the VIN. Call 0861 001 323.
3. If they don’t call it “full grain leather”, it’s unlikely to age well
When buying a leather lounge suite, don’t be seduced by a low price tag or the "100% genuine leather" label.
If it isn't specifically described as full-grain leather, it is unlikely to age well.
Cheap lounge suites often use "corrected" or "bonded" leather—essentially processed hides coated in plastic. These look great initially, but are prone to cracking and peeling within a few years. For a suite that lasts a lifetime rather than a season, prioritise the natural grain. If the deal seems too good to be true, your couch probably won't stand the test of time.
4. Smart Borrowing in Tough Times
With fuel, water and electricity costs soaring, 28% of South Africans use personal loans for emergencies. Before applying:
- Check your free annual credit report
- Calculate the total cost: interest + initiation fees + service fees + insurance
- Test affordability: Will you still be able to cover rent, food, and transport if interest rates rise?
- Choose a lender which is registered with the National Credit Regulator.
- Never pay upfront fees - that’s the sign of a scam
- Shorter terms cost less overall; longer terms ease monthly cash flow.
- Be honest on your application – it protects your future credit score.
5. Make sure your cellphone insurance covers your current phone
I’ve had a couple of complaints in recent weeks from people who have found out - when wanting to claim for a damaged cellphone - that the premium they’ve been paying every month has actually been covering their old phone.
So, claim rejected.
One told me: “When I asked why the handset was not automatically updated when the new contract was signed, the assistant advised that it is my responsibility to advise the insurer of the change in handsets.”
That’s true. So CHECK!
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