People Are Sharing 30 Basic and Genius Safety Tips Everyone Should Know
By Sarah Jones
2 years ago
1. Wave, Yell, Flip and Float
(Image/ Source: red-equipment.co.uk)It’s really important to get familiar with water safety tips. If you’re getting into a body of water (especially if it’s an ocean or a lake) don’t dive in- get your feet in the first time around so you can assess how deep the water is. Try to swim to the shoreline if you get stuck in a current, but if you can’t, then wave, yell, flip and float.2. Don't sneak up on a horse
(Image/ Source: horseyhooves.com)If you’re approaching a horse, make sure you do so from their front- not their back. Horses can get anxious easily, and really don’t appreciate being startled. When they’re frightened, they kick backward, not forward- which means you could get seriously hurt if you’re not careful. So keep your distance!3. Walk AGAINST traffic
4. If you're being followed...
(Image/ Source: latimes.com)If you find yourself being followed while walking or driving, make sure you stay calm and aware of your surroundings and keep your phone with you. Do NOT go home, as this will reveal where you live. Instead, head to a busy public place, or even better, go to the nearest police station. This will deter whoever’s following you.5. Don't put your legs on the dashboard
(Image/ Source: thesun.co.uk)You’ve seen all the serene, Insta-friendly photos of people with their feet up on the dashboard of a car on a road trip. But this is super dangerous. If the car gets involved in a collision, your legs will break. That’s bad enough, but it gets worse- your legs could actually end up piercing your chest cavity and killing you. You’ve been warned!6. Fire safety: sleep with doors shut
(Image/ Source: mistersparky.com)Fire safety is really important- so these few vital tricks may well save your life one day. Always sleep with your doors shut at night, as this prevents fires from spreading, as well as smoke inhalation. Make sure everyone in your house knows what to do if there’s a fire, and, most importantly, replace the batteries in your smoke detector!7. NEVER say 'someone call an ambulance'
(Image/ Source: cnbc.com)When it comes to health emergencies, try and avoid saying “someone call an ambulance”. It’s better to do it yourself or, if this isn’t possible, get one person to do it. Make sure you don’t move or carry anyone who’s injured, as this could make their injury worse. Only move them if they’re in immediate danger.8. Space heater safety
(Image/ Source: viphomelink.com)Space heater safety is being talked about a lot more these days- and for good reason! They’re actually one of the most common fire starters in home fires in America, so make sure you’re taking precautions. Don’t ever plug your space heater into power trips- always plug them directly into your wall outlets instead.9. Don't trust the uniform
(Image/ Source: theatlantic.com)Just because someone is wearing a high-ranking uniform, like a police officer, fireman, or army officer, doesn’t mean you can 100% trust them. It may well be someone trying to trick you and take advantage of you. And even if it’s someone that’s legit and on duty, it doesn’t mean they can’t cause you harm.10. Hot pans
(Image/ Source: firstireland.ie)This is a really good tip for the home cooks. If you’re boiling or frying anything on the stove, make sure you turn the handle of the pan inwards towards the center of the stove or counter. This keeps it out of harm’s way, and prevents any children from grabbing the pan. This tip is also quite handy for clumsy adults too (like us!).11. Keeping your bag safe
(Image/ Source: harpersbazaar.com)If you’re walking down the street with a shoulder bag, try to keep it facing the buildings or walls you’re walking past rather than on the side where people are passing you. It makes it much harder for someone to grab your bag and snatch it away from you. Try not to be engrossed in your phone while you’re walking, as you’ll look like an easier target.12. Protect a driver's foot space
(Image/ Source: motoringelectric.com)If you’re someone that always keeps rubbish in their car, you might want to give this one a read. It’s super dangerous to have anything in the driver’s foot space, as it can prevent you from breaking. Even something as small as a tennis ball can be unsafe, so make sure you keep this area clear, no matter what.13. Staying alert for strokes
(Image/ Source: medicalnewstoday.com)A lot of people can’t tell if someone is having a stroke. Which is why the FAST technique is really helpful to detect if someone’s in trouble. F stands for face drooping, which can happen on one side of someone’s face. A stands for arm weakness, so make sure you’re checking for an arm drifting downward, or becoming numb. S stands for speech difficulty, and T stands for time to call 911.14. Dealing with bears
(Image/ Source: britannica.com)While there’s LOTS of advice on the internet about avoiding bear attacks, stick to the tried and tested methods. If you’re facing a brown bear, put your arms above your head and make yourself look as big as possible. If it’s really close to you, you need to ‘play dead’, so lie on your stomach, face down and clasp your hands over your neck with your elbows protecting the sides of your face. If you’re facing a black bear, stand your ground. They aren’t as aggressive as brown bears.15. If you find yourself in possession of a firearm
(Image/ Source: calmatters.com)What should you do if you end up with a firearm? First things first, don’t panic! And don’t fire it unless you’ve been trained on how to use it properly. Do not point it at anything you don’t want to kill or destroy, or put your finger on the trigger. And be wary that even if it’s unloaded, the firearm can still be dangerous.16. Driving near trucks
(Image/ Source: freightwaves.com)A word of warning- don’t merge in front of a truck until you can see where its steer front tires meet the pavement. And if you’re wondering why trucks leave huge gaps in front of themselves and other cars, it’s because they’re hard to stop, even with those super-powerful air brakes. They leave those gaps to protect you and other road users!17. Stand your ground with people making you feel uncomfortable
(Image/ Source: hobbylark.com)This is a really crucial one- especially for women. If a man is making you feel uncomfortable or giving off creepy vibes (like a stranger in a bar), don’t worry about appearing rude or abrasive. Tell them clearly and directly that you’re not interested. You have no obligation whatsoever to be nice or polite, as your safety is more important!18. Machine safety
(Image/ Source: rowse.co.uk)How familiar are you with machine safety? There are three golden rules to remember; 1, make sure you know exactly where each machine has its emergency stop button, 2, if you wouldn’t touch something with your privates, don’t touch it with your hand, and 3, don’t try and catch anything that falls. Just let it hit the floor.19. Keep away from fallen power lines
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(Image/ Source: thestar.com)If your town or city is hit by a storm or hurricane, make sure you stay away from any power lines that have fallen down. Don’t drive over them, don’t walk over them, and don’t take selfies with them (yes, people have actually done this in the past). They can fry you in seconds, which is why some local Floridians now refer to them as “thunder noodles”.20. Safe footwear
(Image/ Source: standard.co.uk)We don’t want to tell you not to wear heels or fancy shoes, but from a safety point of view, it can be much more helpful to wear shoes you can definitely walk at least half a mile in. And if you’re driving in heels, be sure to keep an emergency pair of flatter, comfier shoes, just in case. You can thank us later!21. Stay vigilant
22. Water contamination
(Image/ Source: youtube.com)If you’re hit with a natural disaster like a flood or an earthquake, you might find that the drinking water system becomes contaminated. This is why it’s really helpful to shut off the intake valve of your water heater, as it’ll stop any germs or debris from getting in. It also means your water heater becomes a tank of emergency drinking water!23. Dull and sharp knives
(Image/ Source: artofeating.com)This might not be what you were expecting, but sharp knives are actually far safer and easier to control than dull ones. You’re much more likely to lose control, kickback or slip with a dull knife, so be sure to keep them sharp! The same goes for anything else with a blade, like a chisel, saw, or utility knife.24. Getting cold outside
(Image/ Source: theladders.com)If you’re spending time outside and you’re a bit unsure about whether you’ve got too cold, it’s already too late. All too often, we realize we’re really cold after the temperatures have already taken their toll on our bodies, plus hypothermia can cloud our judgment. As soon you start to feel unsafe, make sure you take yourself inside to get warm immediately.25. Being on your guard in transitional spaces
(Image/ Source: iprotectt.com)You’re generally more likely to be attacked in a transitional space, like when you’re walking to and from buildings, or to and from your car. From an attacker’s perspective, you’re more of an easy target at this point, as you’re distracted with your keys and thinking about where you’re going. So stay aware of your surroundings and be on your guard.26. Dryer hygiene
(Image/ Source: whirlpool.com)We swear by this one- and it’s a bit of a no-brainer. Be sure to check the little lint collector in your dryer regularly, as this stuff can REALLY build up over time. Clean all of the lint carefully so your dryer is in good shape. We’d recommend doing this every time you use your dryer so everything is spic and span.27. Heinrich's Pyramid
(Image/ Source: tcimag.tcia.org)Have you ever heard of Heinrich’s pyramid? It’s a safety principle that states that the more often you carry out unsafe acts, the more likely you are to sustain a serious injury, or even die. It’s a sound theory, especially when you think about it mathematically. So stop taking shortcuts on safety equipment, as it’s really not worth the risk!28. Leave wild animals alone
(Image/ Source: four-paws.org)This might sound like a really obvious point to make, but don’t ever approach wild animals- even if they’re super cute. A LOT of people have gotten seriously injured or lost their lives for the sake of a selfie, so don’t be that person! Stand back at a respectful distance, and leave the scene if the animal is becoming agitated.29. Keep an eye on moles
(Image/ Source: bbc.com)We’re not talking about animals with this one. If your skin mole isn’t symmetrical, is blurry around the edges, is weeping, suspiciously red, or acts like an open wound that refuses to heal, seek immediate assistance from a health professional. These are all signs of skin cancer, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.30. Missing child
(Image/ Source: vividdoors.co.uk)If your child goes missing in your home, make sure you cover all the bases. First of all, you should check the most dangerous places in the house (like near water heaters or basements) before moving on to their favorite spots. Many parents have presumed their child has been snatched, only for them to find their kid in a safe in a blanket somewhere!What To Read Next
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