18 Normal Things From the 1960s That Are Banned in Florida Today

If you grew up in Florida in the 1960s, chances are you remember the smell of leaded gasoline, the clink of glass milk bottles, and the thrill of riding in the back of a pickup truck with no seat belt in sight.

It was a different world—one without warning labels or safety rails. What seemed perfectly fine then would raise eyebrows or even get you arrested now.

Here are some examples of common things from the ’60s that are banned today—and for good reason.

Smoking on Airplanes

In the 1960s, lighting up a cigarette on a plane was as normal as ordering a ginger ale.

Airlines passed out free cigarettes, and ashtrays were built right into the armrests. Some travelers even felt like flying wasn’t complete without a smoke break at 30,000 feet.

There were no air purifiers, no designated smoking areas—it was just full-on smoky skies in the cabin.

Today, smoking on planes is completely banned, and not just in the U.S.—it’s banned on nearly all flights worldwide.

The move wasn’t just about health risks to smokers, but the dangers of secondhand smoke, the risk of fires, and the general unpleasantness of sitting in a flying ashtray.

Try sparking up on a Delta flight today and you’ll be met with flashing lights, angry passengers, and possibly an arrest. Times have changed, and now it’s hard to imagine that airlines once encouraged a habit that gets you kicked off before takeoff.

Riding in Cars Without Seat Belts

In the ’60s, hopping into a car meant sliding across a wide vinyl bench seat, rolling down the window with a crank, and not even thinking about putting on a seat belt.

Most cars didn’t even have belts in the back seats, and if they did, nobody used them. Kids often sat on their parents’ laps or bounced around in the back, no booster seat required.

Today, that’s not just frowned upon—it’s illegal in most states.

Seat belt laws started gaining traction in the ’80s and ’90s after decades of car crash studies showed just how dangerous it was to ride without one. Now, it’s the law for drivers and passengers to buckle up, no matter how short the trip is.

Not wearing a seat belt today can get you a ticket, and in the case of kids, Child Protective Services might even get involved.

What was once totally normal makes people cringe today—and for good reason. Seat belts save lives, even if ’60s kids didn’t know it yet.

Using Lead-Based Paint

Homes in the 1960s were often painted with colors that looked bright and lasted forever.

The secret ingredient? Lead.

It was added to paint to help it dry faster, resist moisture, and keep that color vibrant for years. People used it on walls, furniture, and even toys.

Fast forward to today, and lead-based paint is banned in residential homes and on any products meant for children.

Studies in the late 1970s linked lead exposure to serious health problems, especially in young kids—everything from learning delays to permanent brain damage. Once the science became clear, regulations quickly followed.

If someone tried to sell a home today with flaking lead paint, it would be a huge legal issue. You’d need special removal crews, protective gear, and lots of paperwork.

What used to be a household staple is now a toxic danger zone.

Drinking and Driving With No Penalty

Back in the ’60s, it wasn’t uncommon for someone to drink a few beers and then get behind the wheel.

There were fewer roadside checks, fewer rules about blood alcohol limits, and a whole lot more “just be careful” attitudes. In some areas, people even kept open containers in the car without blinking an eye.

Today, drinking and driving is one of the most serious offenses on the road.

Laws across the U.S. have cracked down hard. There are DUI checkpoints, automatic license suspensions, ignition interlock devices, and even jail time for first-time offenders.

The legal blood alcohol limit is now .08% in most states, and there’s zero tolerance for minors.

The change came after decades of public awareness campaigns and heart-wrenching stories of lives lost in preventable accidents. What used to be seen as “bad luck” is now seen for what it is: reckless, illegal, and totally avoidable.

Burning Trash in the Backyard

Backyard burn barrels were a common sight in the 1960s. Families would toss in everything from paper to food waste to old furniture and just light a match.

It saved a trip to the dump and felt like a perfectly normal part of rural or suburban life.

Today, open burning is banned in many places, especially in residential neighborhoods.

It’s a major fire hazard, not to mention a pollution issue. Burning plastics and treated wood releases toxic chemicals into the air, which harm both the environment and your lungs.

Most cities and towns now have strict rules about what you can burn and when, if at all. Some areas offer designated burn days, while others ban it altogether and issue hefty fines.

These days, you’re more likely to see compost bins and trash services than a smoking oil drum in someone’s backyard.

Corporal Punishment in Schools

In the 1960s, it wasn’t unusual for teachers or principals to use physical punishment to discipline students.

A misbehaving kid might get paddled in the hallway or have their hands smacked with a ruler. Parents were usually on the school’s side and didn’t think twice about it.

Fast forward to today, and corporal punishment is banned in public schools in most U.S. states.

Educators are now trained to use positive reinforcement, behavioral plans, and counseling instead of physical punishment. There’s a stronger understanding of how trauma affects kids long-term.

While a few states still technically allow corporal punishment in public schools, most districts don’t use it—and doing so could lead to lawsuits and national headlines.

What once seemed like a tough-love approach is now seen as outdated and harmful.

Using Lawn Darts

Lawn darts, or “Jarts,” were a favorite backyard game in the 1960s. The large, metal-tipped darts were tossed at plastic rings on the ground. It was a mix of horseshoes and danger. What could go wrong with heavy, sharp projectiles flying through the air while kids played barefoot?

A lot, it turns out. After multiple reports of serious injuries and even fatalities, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the sale of lawn darts in 1988. They declared the risk too high, especially for children, and pulled them from the market entirely.

Today, if someone finds a set in their garage, they’re advised to turn them in or destroy them. There are safer versions now made of foam or plastic, but the original metal ones? Banned and gone for good—unless you’re trying to lose a toe.

Using Asbestos in Buildings

In the 1960s, asbestos was a wonder material. It was fireproof, cheap, and used everywhere—from ceiling tiles to insulation to flooring.

Construction companies praised its durability, and homeowners loved how it made their homes feel solid and quiet.

But scientists eventually discovered that asbestos exposure could cause deadly lung diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Tiny fibers, when inhaled, could get stuck in the lungs and cause major damage over time.

Today, using asbestos in new buildings is banned in most countries, including the U.S.

If older homes contain it, special abatement crews are needed to remove it safely. What was once considered safe and smart is now treated like hazardous waste.

Playing on Metal Playgrounds Without Safety Surfacing

The playgrounds of the ’60s were full of towering metal slides, merry-go-rounds that spun like rockets, and monkey bars perched above hard-packed dirt or asphalt.

Kids loved the thrills, but it came with plenty of scrapes, broken bones, or worse. And don’t forget the feeling of burning your skin on a sizzling metal slide in July.

Today, safety rules have completely changed playground design. Equipment must meet strict standards, and surfaces are made of rubber, mulch, or soft sand to cushion falls.

Heights are limited, and metal pieces are often replaced with cooler, safer plastic.

Letting kids play freely is still encouraged, but now the goal is fun without emergency room visits. What was once a badge of toughness is now considered a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Leaving Kids Alone in the Car

In the 1960s, it wasn’t uncommon for parents to leave their kids in the car while they ran errands.

Windows cracked, keys in the ignition, maybe even the engine running on a hot day—no one thought much of it. It was just what parents did to save time.

Today, that same act is illegal in many states and can lead to child endangerment charges. Leaving kids in cars—even for a few minutes—can lead to overheating, theft, or worse.

News stories of tragic outcomes have made parents and lawmakers rethink those old habits.

Now, signs at gas stations and grocery stores remind drivers not to leave children unattended. What used to be a casual shortcut is now seen as careless and even criminal.

Hitchhiking Across Town

In the 1960s, sticking your thumb out and waiting for a ride was just a normal way to get around.

Hitchhiking wasn’t just for free spirits—it was common for teens, travelers, and even military personnel trying to get from one town to another. People trusted strangers more, and getting picked up by someone you didn’t know wasn’t seen as dangerous.

But that changed quickly in the following decades. As more crimes involving hitchhikers and drivers were reported, the practice became associated with serious safety risks.

By the late 1970s and ’80s, laws in many states began restricting hitchhiking, especially along busy highways and interstates. Today, some areas still allow it, but in most places, it’s heavily regulated or outright banned.

Now, instead of catching a ride with a stranger, people use rideshare apps that track their trip and driver.

Hitchhiking is seen as too risky and unreliable—another normal ’60s thing that’s faded into the rearview mirror.

Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks

In the 1960s, riding in the back of a pickup truck felt like the ultimate freedom. Whether heading to a local football game or just cruising down a dirt road, people—especially kids—loved sitting in the open air, legs dangling and hair flying.

No seat belts, no helmets, just fresh air and a clear view of the road behind them.

Today, riding in the bed of a pickup is banned or restricted in most states. While a few rural areas still allow it under certain conditions, many laws now prohibit passengers in truck beds on highways or any public road.

The risk of being thrown out in an accident or even during a sudden stop is just too high.

What was once fun and normal is now considered downright dangerous—and illegal in many places.

Selling Toys With Choking Hazards

Toys in the 1960s didn’t come with warning labels, age restrictions, or size tests. Small marbles, plastic pieces, and detachable doll parts were all fair game.

Kids played with tiny items all the time, and parents didn’t think twice about it. Safety testing wasn’t even a thing back then.

Today, toy safety is a massive industry. After countless recalls and tragic accidents, the U.S. government created strict rules through the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Now, toys must meet size requirements, pass choking-hazard tests, and clearly list the appropriate age group. Labels like “Not for children under 3” are everywhere.

Toys are now scanned, pulled, and banned if they even come close to breaking safety rules. What passed as fun and harmless in the ’60s is now ultra-regulated.

Buying Chemistry Sets With Dangerous Chemicals

In the 1960s, chemistry sets were popular gifts for curious kids. They came packed with dozens of tiny glass bottles filled with real chemicals—some of which were flammable, corrosive, or outright explosive.

Instructions encouraged kids to mix ingredients freely and even conduct small fire experiments at home. It was all part of learning.

Today’s chemistry sets are a lot safer and a lot more limited.

Dangerous substances like potassium permanganate, sulfur, and ammonium nitrate have been removed. They’ve been replaced with food-safe dyes, baking soda, and citric acid—the same stuff you’d find in your kitchen.

Modern safety standards have transformed these toys from mini science labs into safe, controlled learning tools.

What once taught kids to be mini-mad scientists now focuses more on safety, supervision, and non-toxic fun.

Letting Dogs Roam Freely

Back in the ’60s, it was common for dogs to wander around neighborhoods off-leash.

Many families opened the back door and let their pups explore for hours. It wasn’t unusual to see Mrs. Johnson’s beagle trotting down the street on its own.

Today, nearly every city and town has leash laws. Letting a dog roam freely can lead to fines, complaints, and even legal action if the dog causes harm.

Animal control services are more active than ever, and untagged pets can quickly be picked up and taken to shelters.

It’s all about preventing bites, accidents, and lost pets. That old “free-range dog” lifestyle of the ’60s is long gone.

Using Mercury Thermometers

Mercury thermometers were once a household staple. Whether you were checking for a fever or the outside temperature, that little silver line inside the glass was how people measured heat.

It was considered fast, accurate, and reliable. Nearly every American had one in their medicine cabinet.

But we now know that mercury is highly toxic if the container it’s in leaks or breaks. Over time, health officials realized that exposure to mercury—especially for children—could lead to serious health problems, including neurological damage.

By the early 2000s, most states began banning the sale of mercury thermometers.

Today, digital thermometers and alcohol-based glass thermometers have taken their place. The shiny silver stick may bring back memories, but it’s no longer safe—or legal—in most stores or hospitals.

Advertising Cigarettes to Kids

During the ’60s, cigarette companies didn’t just target adults—they also went after the next generation. Cartoon characters, catchy jingles, and cool-looking ads made smoking look harmless and even fun.

Joe Camel, anyone?

Tobacco brands sponsored TV shows, magazines, and even school events.

These days, cigarette advertising is banned on TV, radio, and in most media outlets, especially when kids are involved. Federal law also bans flavored cigarettes and requires plain warning labels.

Marketing to minors is a massive legal offense that can cost companies millions.

Now, companies can’t even give out freebies in public places. What once was slick and strategic is now a cautionary tale for every marketing ethics class.

Using DDT and Other Harsh Pesticides

DDT was the go-to pesticide in the 1960s. It was sprayed on crops, in neighborhoods, and even directly onto people at outdoor events.

It wiped out mosquitoes and bugs like magic, but nobody realized the harm it was doing to animals and humans.

After environmentalist Rachel Carson’s famous book Silent Spring was published in 1962, public attention shifted. DDT was linked to cancer, wildlife decline, and long-lasting soil damage.

It was officially banned in the U.S. in 1972.

Today, there are far more rules about what chemicals can be used on crops and around homes. Organic options and natural repellents are now preferred.

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