The world isn’t all sunshine, rainbows, and cuddly pandas. Neither is it as scary and on the verge of collapse as some news channels might tell you. Either way, we think that most of you might agree that our safety and the safety of our loved ones should be our top priority.
We shouldn’t live in fear that something bad is bound to happen when we least expect it, however at the same time, we can’t be naive and think that accidents don’t happen or that bad people don’t exist. So we shouldn’t scoff when someone shares some advice on how to stay safe.
Redditor u/directinLA asked people to open up about the safety tips they think absolutely everyone should know, and they were more than happy to share their pearls of wisdom. From the fundamentally basic to the surprisingly genius, you’ll find their best safety tips below. Scroll down and make sure you have a notepad, dear Pandas.
Bored Panda reached out to the author of the thread, redditor u/directinLA, to get their opinion on safety, as well as which tips they personally found to be the most important.
"Among the many replies I got, I think one from u/CharlieMike12 was most helpful. Not to take away from all the other responses, but as a firefighter the tips shared were relevant to everyday safety, and I think that is the epitome of a safety tip that is useful to know," u/directinLA said.
"As far as most poignant responses, u/LamarB said, 'It is better to correct an unsafe friend than to bury one.' We all have to look out for each other regardless of our differences. Everyone is living a life that is meaningful to someone. So if any of these tips actually save a life, I can retire my account successfully!" they stressed how important community is in helping keep each other safe. Scroll down for our full interview.
#1
For women especially. If someone is making you uncomfortable or just giving off weird/creepy vibes, you never should worry about being "rude." You don't have to be nice/polite, your safety comes first.
Image credits: PurpleDreamer28
Bored Panda was interested in getting u/directinLA's opinion on the role that local communities play in helping keep people safe. Here's what they had to say: "I believe community is a very important thing, as we all live in our own respective bubbles. We rely on each other to keep each other safe daily, whether it be driving a car, crossing a street, trusting our children in a school system, or even wearing a mask. Without our communities, what are we?" they mused.
"Community is so important because it gives us all a sort of tribe to be able to lean on when things become tough sometimes. Whether it be from family, friends, or even kind strangers, we all rely on help because ultimately we are doing our part to try to lead a fulfilling life."
#2
Wear safety glasses when working. Wear safety gloves when working. Wear safety boots when working. Do not make excuses — one mistake can cost you your finger, eye, toe.
Image credits: bstefanovic
#3
Don't say, 'Someone call an ambulance.' Do it yourself, or directly tell one person to do it.Don't move someone injured unless there is an imminent danger to the victim.
Puncture wounds, the puncture object acts as a cork, leave it in until medics arrive and let them deal with it.
Learn cpr for adults and children, the same goes for choking techniques like heimlich.
Image credits: nobenap5
The author of the thread also opened up about what inspired them to ask the question on r/AskReddit. "Being on Reddit, you see lots of videos of people getting injured, whether it be comically or seriously. I've seen my fair share of trampoline-related injury videos to want to put out the message that they are not a safe thing to play with, and could be rather dangerous. Then I wondered what other safety gems exist in life, so I created a prompt that could best be answered by people from all walks of life," they told Bored Panda.
"When you make these questions it's usually meant as a little bit of an exercise in boredom since you have an idea in your head and want to see what other people think about that topic. In this case, I figured it could be useful. Never do you imagine these things taking off the way they do. It got to the point where I was getting more replies than I had time to read them, so I had to turn off notifications!"
Very recently, Bored Panda spoke to psychologist and wellbeing consultant Lee Chambers from the UK about our need for safety and resilience to traumatic experiences.
"As human beings, we have a desire for certainty and routine that keeps us feeling safe and able to plan what lies ahead in an organized manner. When unpredictable situations or accidents impact us, it can be traumatic, and we will likely feel a sense of disappointment, frustration, and loss," he told us.
#4
When walking down the street with a one-shoulder bag, keep it on the building side of your body — not the side on which people pass you. It makes the bag harder to slash/snatch.If asked for the time on the street, don't check your phone. Check your watch, but do so by lifting your wrist to within your field of view - don't look down at your wrist. If you don't have a watch, then say you don't know the time.
Be cautious if a person asks you to look at something, like "that car behind you".
Collectively these tips will help avoid some basic mugging tricks.
Image credits: ByEthanFox
#5
A falling knife has no handle.
Image credits: Billbapoker
#6
Nobody wins in a street fight.
Image credits: Jellybean720
"It is important however that we embrace the fact that the world can be unpredictable and uncertain, and become more tolerant of this being a reality,” the psychologist told Bored Panda.
“Understanding that things are sometimes out of our control helps us to accept that not everything goes to plan, and accept when things happen to us that are negative. This acceptance allows us to embrace the change and difference, and manage our expectations so we can become more resilient to the ups and downs that all our lives lead."
#7
NEVER mix cleaning products.
Image credits: jtho78
#8
If you are the passenger, never put your feet on the dash. With or without airbags, don’t do it. Level 1 trauma hospital worker here. Seen a fatality of a passenger who had their legs on the dash during the collision. It literally shoved their (broken) leg back into them and their own leg bone (shard) pierced their chest cavity and heart.
Image credits: xray_anonymous
#9
Firefighter here;Sleep with your doors shut at night (helps prevent fire spread/smoke inhalation)
Be able to crawl, blindfolded, out of every room in your house.
Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do in the event of a fire. Where to meet afterwards, etc.
If you have kids, explain to them that firefighters may look ‘scary’ in full turnout gear, but they can not be afraid of us.
Friendly reminder while I have your attention; check the batteries in your smoke detector. They truly are life savers.
Image credits: CharlieMike12
According to the expert, we can grow from our struggles, but this requires acceptance and taking ownership.
"Post-traumatic growth isn't always simple to explain or utilize, but often the adversity we face can create a precedent for what we can overcome, help us to see what we need to be grateful for, and give us an understanding of the support we do have. A big part of opening the door to grow from our struggles is finding acceptance and taking ownership over what you can control and finding healthy ways to express the negative emotion that comes with challenges that test us," he said.
#10
As a life long Floridian, I see this all the time here, and else where in the news. In the event of a disaster, stay the [hell] away from downed power lines!! Don’t walk along the street with them, don’t drive your car over them, don’t take selfies with them. They’re thunder noodles and have been known to kill.
Image credits: kowog1
#11
Worked in a machine shop. I was told the top three rules were these: 1) Know where the emergency stop button is on every machine. 2) If you wouldn't touch it with your penis, don't touch it with your finger. 3) If something falls, let it hit the floor (don't try to catch anything falling).
Image credits: theunknowngoat
#12
Turn your music down. I promise you will not like tinnitus.
Image credits: caananball
"Using journaling and talking about how I felt played a significant part in my recovery when I had to learn to walk again, and gave me the space to grow to become mentally stronger as a result. It is also important to reflect on all the hurdles you've overcome, so you can see what skills and lessons you've learned to apply in the future, and adversity often helps us to see what really matters, and gets us closer to knowing our values and purpose,” Lee said.
#13
If you ever find yourself in possession of a firearm:1. All guns are loaded, even if you just unloaded it.
2. Do not point the gun at anything you’re not willing to shoot kill/destroy.
3. Do not put your finger on the trigger unless you are trying to fire the weapon at that moment.
#14
In these cold times. Don’t drive wearing anything you couldn’t walk a half mile in.
Image credits: 46692
#15
You're more likely to be attacked in a transitional space. Going into and out of buildings, cars, and especially between the two. You let your guard down because you're thinking about what you're going to do when you get there, not what you're doing right now, and not what's going on around you. Stay alert, stay safe.
Image credits: pevip6
#16
When boiling a pot of water, turn the handle inwards towards the center of the stove / counter. That way somebody (especially a kid) won’t come by and knock it over or grab it and pull it over on themselves.
Image credits: Actuaryba
#17
The really bad people who want to do really bad things look for weakness. They test and probe.It's awful that the best we can hope for is that we avoid what some other person might be victimized with. But that's nature.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Watch to see if anyone is watching you. Any stranger that offers you something or has a question that doesn't feel right, that's the moment to keep yourself vigilant. Don't put on a false front, but don't be weak. Have good body posture. Speak clearly. Use short simple statements, and be rude if you have to. No thanks, I'm good, or firmer if you think it's necessary.
Don't let anyone stop you from walking.
No is a full sentence.
If they get physical, fuck, if they even touch you, scream and yell and don't let them get you away from the public area, away from light and people. We often have the impulse to not make a scene- fuck that. Make the biggest fuss you've ever made.
Learn to listen to your instincts and intuition. They aren't always right, so you should evaluate them, and then proceed.
#18
if your being followed (Car or walking) dont go home, rather head toward the nearest police station and park/sit there for a bit.also craigslist deals can be done in police parking lots, it can be a bit awkward asking someone to meet there to sell you their old ps4 but if they are honest then they will have no reason not to.
#19
Oh I have a really good one. In the event of a disaster, such as earthquake or flood, The drinking water system frequently becomes contaminated.Therefore you need to shut off the intake valve to your water heater.
Then your water heater becomes an emergency drinking water tank.
#20
“It is better to correct an unsafe friend than to bury one”
Image credits: LamarB
#21
Do NOT put objects in the driver's foot space. Even things as small as a tennis ball. It's very unsafe for the driver.
Image credits: AvianDragon_Minokawa
#22
Get a dashcam if you don't have one already. It can save you a lot of headaches if you're in an accident.#23
One for knowing what to do when encountering bears:When it’s brown, lie down. Brown bears are pretty aggressive. The first thing to do is put your arms above your head and stand as firm as possible to make yourself look big. When the brown bear is still coming to you, don’t run! Lie down, curled in a ball with you backpack still on; it’ll protect you. The bear will paw you, see that you’re no longer food and move along.
If it’s black, fight back. Black bears are less aggressive and can easily be fought back. Just like with brown bears, make yourself look as big as you possibly can. It’ll see you as a threat and move away.
If it’s white, say goodnight. Polar bears are the biggest species of bears on earth. If you’re running away from one, throw your pack to the side; polar bears have a short attention span and will go to the parcel you threw to the side. If that doesn’t work, and the polar bear is still gaining on you, there’s unfortunately nothing left but to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior because it’ll un-alive you in minutes.
Image credits: Fast_Enthusiasm_6655
#24
Never plug in space heaters to power strips! ALWAYS plug them directly into wall outlets. This is one of the most common fire starters in home fires.
Image credits: poshquail
#25
Sharp tools are safer and easier to control than dull ones. This goes for basically anything with a blade, whether it’s a saw blade, utility knife, chisel, or simple kitchen knife. You’re more likely to slip, lose control, or kickback with a dull blade.#26
Around any body of water:- Feet first first time - never dive unless you know how deep the water is.
- Drowning looks like climbing a ladder, and it's silent.
- If you get into a dangerous current swim perpendicular to it.
- If you're in water over your head, or in a dangerous current, flip, float, and follow.
Image credits: tremynci
#27
Check and clean out the lint collector in your dryer regularly.
Image credits: Whig_Party
#28
No matter how cute the wild animal is...don't approach it! It's NOT worth it!#29
If you have a skin mole that has blurry edges, isn't symmetrical, is a weird shade of red, weeps fluids, or acts like an open wound that won't heal, you might have skin cancer. Go to a doctor IMMEDIATELY. Melanoma kills fast.
Image credits: vivav5
#30
There are different kinds of fires and using the wrong suppressant can fuel or spread the fire more. The most common example of this is how water will cause an oil fires to spread. Some fire extinguishers are only good for certain fires based on there rating so make sure you read what fire types it works on before purchasing. Baking soda works great on small grease fires.
Image credits: Lunatic-moon
#31
If you're confronted, it's far better to run away if at all possible rather than try to fight your attacker. Even if you think you are a badass.
Image credits: Hokusai135
#32
Turn on your phones flashlight and point it toward oncoming traffic when crossing the street at night.#33
Deep dents in canned foods, especially on a seam, can be a sign of botulism or bacterial contamination; these cans should be avoided.
Image credits: lavenderduck
#34
Don't merge back in front of a semi truck until you can see where its steer (front) tires meet the pavement, then keep going.Truckers don't leave big gaps in front of themselves in traffic out of the kindness of their hearts. They do it because trucks are hard to stop even with powerful air brakes, and the kinetic energy in an 80,000 truck/load combo traveling at 65mph would turn you into a fine pink mist if they hit you.
WAY too many drivers don't know how to act around semis, at their mortal peril.
Source: am trucker
#35
There's a principal in safety called Heinrich's Pyramid, and while the precise numbers are open for debate, the general principal is that after a certain number of unsafe acts you will have a serious injury or fatality. This is typically used for workplace safety, but the point is, every time you decide that you don't need that piece of safety equipment, or you can skip that one step even though the book says to do it, you're ticking down the clock until a serious accident happens. In Heinrich's original, he posited that for each serious accident (major injury/fatality), there would be about 30 accidents with minor injury, and 300 unsafe acts. So eliminate those minor unsafe acts, shortcuts etc, and significantly reduce or eliminate the corresponding number of serious accidents.#36
Always put an emergency brake up when you park your car on a hill. You never know when your regular brake would fail.
Image credits: Wit-Hoid6674
#37
If you get bitten by an animal that you even think is rabid get vaccinated RIGHT AWAY.Rabies is a brutal way to go out and if you miss your window there’s not much nothing that can be done.
Image credits: a_clown_with_a_piano
#38
If you have been on the fence for a while about being too cold to continue, in a backcountry situation, you are already too cold. Immediately make emergency efforts to get warm. Being hypothermic severely clouds your judgement.#39
Walk against traffic so you can see what’s coming, not with your back to it!#40
Head injuries can take hours to manifest. Go see a doctor even if you think it was minor. If you wait, it may already be too late once you start showing symptoms.#41
F.A.S.T. For strokes.F = Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
A = Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred?
T = Time to call 911
#42
Uniforms (especially of high function, such as doctors, fireman, army...) can trick your mind. Just because someone wear one doesn't mean they are kind and safe, and can't hurt you. Even if it's a real one or during work hour/on duty.#43
If your child goes missing in your home, first check any spots that would be dangerous for them to be (near water heaters, sump pumps etc…) then check their common hiding spots.
Image credits: CthulhuBae1111
#44
Be gross if you’re being kidnapped. Men don’t like gross girls. Force yourself to throw up, rip your hair out, pee yourself or defecate. Try to fight back and scratch as hard as you can. Leaving physical evidence everywhere at the very least helps identify your body and get him prosecuted for the crime. Not to be morbid but. If it looks like you’re about to die then make sure you leave as much evidence as you possibly can.#45
After large fires ash will continue to fall to the ground, all fresh water outside will be laden with ash. Ash and water produces lye, which is poison.After fires try to refresh and replace water outside for wandering animals.
#46
You cannot drink the waters from cactuses in emergency due to acidity and toxic alkaloids, which causes vomiting, diarrhea and mass dehydration especially when you're hungry or thirsty.#47
Never EVER sneak up behind a horse, EVER
Image credits: VeeSquibbles
#48
Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative at the same time.#49
Always know your exits in a public/crowded space.#50
Always prepare for your car to break down in the middle of nowhere.Bring warm clothes, water, a charged phone etc..
#51
The gates on a railroad crossing are meant to break away when driven through. If your car ever stalls out on a crossing, don't bother with 911 — look for the blue sign posted on the crossing gates themselves and call that number. That number will get you in contact with the train dispatcher, who can let oncoming trains know about it immediately.
Image credits: M3T4LL1CA
#52
Be present in the moment in all that you do. From my experience (personal and professional) absent mindedness is the number one cause of preventable accidents/injuries.#53
When it's raining or snowing during the day, and you need to drive your car, turn your headlights on! Headlights are not only for you to see, they're for other people to be able to see you.#54
If you need to break open a car window using a tool do NOT hit the middle, hit one of the corners. The middle of he window is reinforced to prevent it from being broken.#55
Don’t spray hairspray in the bathroom while the bathroom exhaust fan is running. The fan will draw the sticky spray into the fan where it accumulates dust, lint, dirt, etc. which can eventually gum up the fan motor and create a fire risk. Also, clean your bathroom exhaust fan regularly.#56
Buy a glass breaker with seatbelt knife and keep it in your car. It’s a couple bucks and it may save your (or someone else’s) life.#57
A few things I learned from scouts. A 9V Battery can ignite Steel wool. Dryer Lint is also really flammable. Consider taking some in different plastic baggies on your trip as they don't add much weight. Drinking from stagnant water is also extremely dangerous, look for running water instead.Remember, kids: It's always better to be prepared to have it and not use it, than need it and not have it.
#58
Wasps can't fly if their wings are wet. If you get one in your home, squirt it with water and wack it with a fly swatter. No need to spray poison indoors.#59
When you cut wood or metal, the chips fly faster than you are able to blink.#60
If everybody else is staying on the beach don’t go running into the ocean. They might all be staying on the beach for a reason. Like jellyfish.I learned the hard way so you don’t have to.
#61
I would say that if you randomly smell gas in your house, DO NOT turn on any lights. It could cause a spark and explode your house, so evacuate.#62
If you're stuck in a hotel room fire and can't escape, it's the smoke that will kill you.Call for help
Check for fire in hallway with the back of your hand against the inside of the door. If it's hot, do not open the door. There's a raging fire outside.
Wet towels and put them behind the door.
Scoop out the water from the toilet u-bend using towels and your hands. Use an additional wet towel over your head to make some form of "seal" to breathe. It goes straight to a fresh air source. Use that for clean air. Stay low to the ground. Smoke rises.
It's the smoke that will kill you.
#63
If you’re in a crowd and there’s a possibility of a human crush, go with the waves of people instead of against it and, when possible, go backwards to the left to get out of it. If you’re rigid, you’ll get pushed over and trampled to death and you absolutely don’t want to get to the front.#64
Never swim in an unknown water body.#65
If you're treating a gunshot victim while waiting on an ambulance, the best thing you can do is apply constant pressure to the wound. Bind it if you can. But, whatever you do, absolutely do not remove bandages if they get too bloody. Just add more. Don't give the wound any chances to bleed out more than it already is.#66
Don’t turn the car on with the garage closed.#67
Never get into a vehicle if someone is trying to kidnap you. (if you can help it) Its better to fight and scream as much as you can because once you get in the vehicle your chances of survival go down significantly#68
Sunscreen should be applied at least twenty minutes before you go into the sun. And a good rule of thumb is to reapply every 2 hours.#69
1. If you fall forward, put your hands out to break your fall in order to protect your face. Besides preventing a head injury, broken arms heal, broken teeth do not.2. Don’t open any packages or bottles or shells, etc with your teeth. You will chip or break your teeth and have pain and expensive dental bills.
#70
Don't accept help from people who aren't trusted friends, family members or roommates with carrying things to your apartment or house door. The amount of rape stories that start this way is quite shocking.It's better for a stranger to think you're a bitch then try to be too nice and put yourself in danger.
#71
If you get a whiff of really bad BO when you’re hiking in the woods, chances are you are downwind from a bear… stay alert!#72
If you're planning on carrying something heavy or fragile and awkward, or a multi-person move, plan it out in advance.#73
If you are afraid of cutting yourself, or have a younger kid who is, just take a dishtowel and put it over your hand holding whatever you are cutting.You'd be surprised how much harder it makes seriously cutting yourself.
#74
When you double the speed of your car, your braking distance quadruples. This is why speeding, especially in residential zones, can be very dangerous.#75
When hiking, frequently turn around so you know what it will look like on the way back. Also applies to huge parking lots.Bring water, food, a whistle, and a first aid kit on EVERY hike. Local park? Doesn't matter. Shit happens and suddenly there is no one around. People wander off the trail to pee and are lost for days. It can happen to you, no matter how savvy you are.
After a hurricane, the danger is not over. Flooding will start in the lower elevations over the next several days, as the higher land drains. So many people in my area came back immediately after Hurricane Florence, only to need rescue. If at all possible, stay away after an emergency, at least until roads are clear and power is back.
#76
Most car troubles can be ignored for a short period of time (e.g. check engine light stuff). But don't ignore shakes and shimmies.#77
Long hair, loose clothing and gloves, keep them far away from rotating parts and tools.#78
Don’t ever just touch/grab an electrified fence with the palm side of your hand, you might not be able to let go once the shock hits your muscles.#79
If you're spray painting (or painting in general, but especially laquer based paint) something and you're using primer before paint. Make sure the primer is compatible with the paint. It can cause a chemical reaction and self-ignite if they aren't.#80
Always keep an eye on trucks indicators incase there’re making a wide turn. I’ve seen so many people almost get ran down by trailers after trying to cut inside of a truck they didn’t notice was turning.#81
Cows and Horses in particular are very heavy for anyone who happens to work in a barn or farm environment, so always wear work boots when working with them.#82
If you see an animal that’s brightly colored or has a unique design, don’t touch it. I know a lot of people know why, but there’s always that one person.#83
My dad always said “you never know when 10 bucks might save your life”Moral of the story: always have some cash on hand.
Saved my ass more than once.
#84
Be extra, extra careful going up and especially down stairs.#85
Don’t leave your bras on your door handles in your house cus your pets will choke themselves by accidentfrom Bored Panda https://bit.ly/3IO7Bvs
via Boredpanda
