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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.
This post may include affiliate links.
#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.
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."
RELATED:
#2
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.
#3
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.
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
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.
#5
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
"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."
#8
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).
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
That falling rule was so hard for me to stop, I played soccer a lot so whenever things fall I try to catch it.
#9
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.
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
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.
#11
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.
#12
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.
Tapio Magnussen 2 years ago
Image of X-RAY from a person with feet on the dash in a SIMPLE collision.
Just image a hard one... pies-salpi...153270.jpg 
"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
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.
#14
“It is better to correct an unsafe friend than to bury one”
#15
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.
Foxxy (The Original) 2 years ago
I probably wouldn't need to force myself to do most of those things.
#16
Turn your music down. I promise you will not like tinnitus.
#17
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.
#18
In these cold times. Don’t drive wearing anything you couldn’t walk a half mile in.
#19
NEVER mix cleaning products.
Ristina Nielsen 2 years ago
And NEVER EVER store cleaning products, or garage products, in "re-purposed" food packages. You don't want to her someone say "urgh, this lemonade tastes weird". (at least not for the reason it being nail polish remover)
#20
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, f**k, 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- f**k 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.
Steffen Rehm 2 years ago
I still feel bad for that on person in Monastir back then. Maybe he just tries to sell us overpriced bracelet to make a living. But on the other hand, never ever touch strangers without their permission.
#21
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.
#22
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.
#23
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.
#24
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.
#25
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.
#26
Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative at the same time.
#27
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.
Amy Stone-Chandler 2 years ago
Sharp knives don't slip off food. Keep your fingers in proper cutting positions
#28
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.
#29
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.
snipergun 2 years ago
This one I'd change a little bit, to if you get bitten or scratched by animal you can't prove doesn't have rabies (can't catch it or don't want to kill it) just get a vaccine (unless it's a neighbor's dog/cat with fully up to date vaccinations). And be aware that for example hedgehogs use their saliva against parasites by spreading it on their spikes, which mean that if you grab it (take it away from road for example) you can already get infected. Luckily it's rare in parts of the world, but it's way better to take the vaccine than to go out with rabies. Except for anti vaxers I guess...
#30
Walk against traffic so you can see what’s coming, not with your back to it!
Susie Elle 2 years ago
But if you walk on a road that has curves, I'd advise to walk on the side of the road that has traffic coming from behind you; a driver going into a curve will see you too late if you're walking against traffic (becasue they can't see around a curve). Someone coming from behind you will have to slow down until you pass the curve. At least, I'm convinced this is the case :')
#31
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.
#32
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.
#33
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
#34
Check and clean out the lint collector in your dryer regularly.
T. D. Bostick 2 years ago
Just clean it out every time you use it. Make it a habit. Then it's a no-brainer.
#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
No matter how cute the wild animal is...don't approach it! It's NOT worth it!
Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago (edited)
Please leave wild animals alone. Forget the f*****g selfie and just stand back and simply look at them. If you HAVE to take a picture, stand back at a safe distance and use your zoom function. Also, don’t try to be a hero and “save” a baby wild animal. You do not know what the hell you’re doing—-and may be doing way more harm than good. If you see a baby animal in obvious distress, call the park rangers if in a national park, or whatever relevant professionals apply. Then wait for them. Try to keep predators at bay if you can until the pros arrive, especially if the baby is from an endangered species, but don’t risk your life trying to keep a bear or mountain lion at bay. It may be distressing, but Nature can sometimes be cruel to the small and weak.
#38
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.
#39
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.
Robin DJW 2 years ago
My daughter went missing in our home when she was still just on all fours. I eventually found her sound asleep on the floor, in the far corner under her crib, rolled up in her blankie. She wanted her nap, so she took it on herself to get it. To this day I wish I had had a camera.
#40
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.
What do you think ?
wowbagger 2 years ago
One I read recently: honest people are generally happy to provide verification and eager to build trust. It's dishonest people who get resentful and offended: "What, don't you trust me?" and "Why are you so suspicious?"
Joyce Blodgett 2 years ago
You just described my abusive ex-husband to a T. His second and third wives said the same thing that I just did after putting up with him for a time.
Load More Replies...
Jo Choto 2 years ago
A lot of trouble in life can be avoided by simply thinking for a moment before making decisions. Much of these are common sense that everyone would agree with, but still, people make rash decisions that cost them.
John L 2 years ago
Too many people just aren't "aware" (as I like to put it) and go through life on auto pilot.
Load More Replies...
Monique Reed 2 years ago
Another good one: Don't eat wild plants or fungi unless you are prepared to die if you are wrong about the identification. There are things that look like carrots, onions, and edible berries and mushrooms that can kill you with a **very** small dose. And don't go by photos in little "edible plant" guidebooks. They will show you edible plants, not the dozens of potentially lethal look-alikes.
Mine Truly 2 years ago
If you think you might have to eat plants to survive, get a field guide to edible plants in your region. There is a process to test plants to see if it's edible. Do not do this with fungus. Mushrooms can kill you very quickly and there's no good way to test.
Load More Replies...
wowbagger 2 years ago
One I read recently: honest people are generally happy to provide verification and eager to build trust. It's dishonest people who get resentful and offended: "What, don't you trust me?" and "Why are you so suspicious?"
Joyce Blodgett 2 years ago
You just described my abusive ex-husband to a T. His second and third wives said the same thing that I just did after putting up with him for a time.
Load More Replies... Jo Choto 2 years ago
A lot of trouble in life can be avoided by simply thinking for a moment before making decisions. Much of these are common sense that everyone would agree with, but still, people make rash decisions that cost them.
John L 2 years ago
Too many people just aren't "aware" (as I like to put it) and go through life on auto pilot.
Load More Replies... Monique Reed 2 years ago
Another good one: Don't eat wild plants or fungi unless you are prepared to die if you are wrong about the identification. There are things that look like carrots, onions, and edible berries and mushrooms that can kill you with a **very** small dose. And don't go by photos in little "edible plant" guidebooks. They will show you edible plants, not the dozens of potentially lethal look-alikes.
Mine Truly 2 years ago
If you think you might have to eat plants to survive, get a field guide to edible plants in your region. There is a process to test plants to see if it's edible. Do not do this with fungus. Mushrooms can kill you very quickly and there's no good way to test.
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