That 'hair clutcher' could be dangerous during a car crash. Here's why

One question on social media has revived an old debate about how one everyday hair accessory can actually turn fatal.A hair accessory can turn dangerous (Photo: Unsplash)There are things you know you probably shouldn't do in a car: text, skip the seat belt, or stick your feet on the dashboard. This is common knowledge. But who knew a hair accessory could also make it to that list?Any guesses?Well, a 'hair clutcher' — or, as the internet calls it, a claw clip.The claw clip has been the ultimate shortcut for bad hair days. It is quick, comfortable and somehow makes a messy bun look intentional. For many of us, the claw clip is less of a fashion accessory and more of a survival tool. It lives in our handbags, sits on our work desks and has saved the hair during windy days. Now, doctors want you to give it a second thought about when you wear it.Ok, wait. Wondering why we are suddenly talking about wearing a 'clutcher' and being in a car? At this point, it takes just one person on the internet to start a conversation, and there’s a good chance people will simply chime in. That’s exactly how a conversation around claw clips surfaced.Someone on Threads posted a question: “Doctors, EMTs etc of Threads, based on your experience with other people's injuries, what is one hobby you would never practice yourself?”Some safety rules are almost instinctive. Not getting on a motorcycle without a helmet, making sure the kids aren't bouncing around on a trampoline without a safety net or not speeding through narrow lanes and traffic.Then one person, who called themselves a “death investigator”, listed a few things — with claw clips making the cut. And that's how the conversation started.Why are claw clips dangerous?According to New York Post, several emergency room professionals have warned that wearing a hard claw clip while travelling in a car could make certain crash injuries worse. In a collision, the force of the head moving backwards against the headrest can drive the clip into the scalp, potentially causing serious cuts and head injuries.Sounds unlikely? But people have experienced it.“My cousin met with an accident where she crashed with another vehicle and fell off the two-wheeler she was on. While the impact of the collision was not as much, because she fell, her 'clutcher' clawed into her skull. That made her case worse. She had to undergo a serious medical procedure,” recalls Shikha Sharma, a 30-year-old media professional. These hair accessories seem harmless yet can turn fatal (Photo: Pexels) Now, this is not the first time the conversation has come up. It did the rounds on social media almost a year or two ago as well.Last year, a 22-year-old Australian content creator also talked about a car accident in which her claw clip crumbled and led to severe concussions. Taking to social media, she even warned people to never wear a claw clip while in a car as anything can happen, even when one is not at fault.And just like that, the little accessory sitting in almost every handbag has become the latest thing that needs to be reconsidered before getting into a car. Well, a little precaution has hurt no one.- EndsPublished By: Jigyasa SahayPublished On: Sep 2, 2026 10:28 IST