Wire hangers have saved us on more than one ocassion.  Recently my 2 year old hopped into the car before me and decided to lock all the doors before I could get in there.  My keys were in the ignition, and it was 97 degrees outside!  I panicked as I tried to figure out how to get my car open before he was seriously hurt from the heat. Since it was an older car, we rushed inside to get a wire hanger and fished it through the top if the window gasket to pull up on the door lock and get my son out safely.

I have also used wire hangers to fish strange objects out of the toilet and sink drains.  (They can get a whole glob of nasty stuff out if you bend them just right.)

We are always very careful to keep the hangers up out of reach of the kids, though.  They can cause a nasty puncture wound or seriously damage soft tissue in the nose, mouth or eyes.  I would have switched completely to plastic for this fact if it wasn't for the handiness they seem to have in areas other than clothing organization!

Great article, Myscha!