20+ Life-Saving Tips You And Your Loved Ones Need To Know

By Sankara Radio On Aug 16, 2021

While many things distract us on the internet, it can also be a source of beneficial information. It might surprise you, but the internet can actually save lives if you read the right things. We rounded up the most useful life-saving tips to help you out in times of need. Read on for tips that could actually save your life!

1. If A Room Smells Like Fish, Check The Outlets And Unplug Everything

Electrical fires can destroy homes because of faulty wiring or bad appliances. It seems like they happen out of nowhere, but regular checks and maintenance can help prevent these life-threatening events.

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There are warning signs to look for before an electrical fire, such as a fishy odor in the room when no one is cooking fish. Circuits emit this smell when they overheat, leading to a fire. If you notice this, unplug everything, especially where the smell is coming from, to prevent a disaster.

2. Cyanide Smells Like Roasted Almonds

Sometimes, unusual smells are indicators that there is dangerous material in the area. From gas leaks and poisons to other materials that can cause illnesses, certain smells can determine what the problem is.

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If you are in a closed room, and it starts to smell like roasted almonds, but there aren’t roasted almonds in the area, you need to get out. This is actually what cyanide smells like, and could be a sign of possible poisoning. Cyanide is extremely dangerous, and you also should call poison control.

3. 3 Famous Songs Have The Right Beat For CPR

CPR requires some knowledge because compressions need to be done at a certain rate. Some people do compressions too slow, which might not save the victim’s life because the CPR will be ineffective.

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To perform compressions properly, follow the beat for the chorus of one of three songs, including “Stayin’ Alive,” by the Bee Gees, Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust,” or “Nelly the Elephant” by Toy Dolls. Press down with each beat to keep the correct pace.

4. Better To Be Safe Than Sorry

While you might think your chances of seeing a polar bear are slim because most people think they only live in Antarctica, polar bears have actually been found in Northern Canada. Even if it isn’t a polar bear, knowing what to do in the event of an animal attack is important.

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For example, if you encounter a polar bear, you should take off your clothes as you run away. While this might seem strange, the bear will get distracted and stop to sniff the clothing, giving you time to get away.

5. Drive Safe And Prevent Your Windshield From Freezing

If you live in a cold place, you are probably used to waking up early before work to scrape the ice off your windshield. Sometimes it can be a pain to remove, especially if you are running late and the ice is too hard to scrape off.

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Instead of struggling with your windshield, rub a raw onion on the glass the night before, and you won’t have to worry about an ice-covered window in the morning. This will save you time, energy and reduce your risk of an accident because you can’t see through the window.

6. If There Is A Metallic Taste In A Pool Get Out Right Away

When you are swimming in a pool, you probably aren’t trying to taste the water because it is filled with chemicals like chlorine. However, it gets in everyone’s mouths at some point. If you are swimming and there is a metallic taste in the water, get out right away.

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Metallic tastes can signify an electrical short in the water caused by the pool’s electrical system. As most people know, electricity and water can be a deadly combination. Electrical shorts in the water can lead to serious injuries, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

7. If You Think You Are Having A Heart Attack, CHEW An Aspirin

While no one wants to think about having a heart attack, there are things people can do to prepare to be safe. If you start to feel chest pain, shortness of breath, and light-headedness, it could be a heart attack, so taking aspirin would be the best first step, but there is a correct way to take it.

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If you or someone you know is having a heart attack, the aspirin must be chewed to be effective because it will get to the bloodstream faster. This can help it break up the potential blood clot, and the time saved by chewing it can save a person’s life.

8. If A Tornado Looks Like It Is Not Moving, It Is Moving Toward You

There are places in the world where tornados are fairly common, but if you are not used to them, you might not know what to do. There are special shelters in the event of a tornado, but there are other ways to protect yourself if those aren’t available to you.

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If you happen to see a tornado outside, look to see which direction it is traveling. If it looks like it is staying in one place, it is moving towards you. By understanding where the tornado is moving, you can give yourself more time to get out of the way.

9. If The Water Goes Further Back Than You Have Ever Seen, Get To High Ground

When you go to the beach, the tide changes throughout the day so that the water might be closer or further away at different times. However, the tide can also tell you when a natural disaster is about to strike.

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If you notice the tide suddenly go further back than normal, the best thing to do is get to high ground. Whenever the water recedes beyond where it usually would go, that could signify an impending tsunami.

10. Grease Fires Should Never Be Put Out With Water

One of the most common mishaps in the kitchen is grease fires. However, in a panic, most people don’t know the proper way to put them out, and it can actually make the fire worse. People’s first instinct is to throw water on them, but that is the last thing you would want to do.

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Grease fires need to be suffocated, so use baking soda or another pan to deprive them of oxygen. Water has oxygen in it, so throwing water on a grease fire will make it rage out of control. Although it might be an intense situation, be sure to stay calm and follow this tip.

11. Don’t Stare At The Sun Like Your Parents Said

Our parents always told us not to stare at the sun because it can damage our eyes, and they were right. The sun might be bright and beautiful, but it can hurt your eyes permanently and no one wants that.

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People sometimes think it’s safe to skip eye protection during an eclipse, but this is the time you have to be extra cautious. A sliver of sunshine can burn your retinas for life so that two-minute eclipse is surely not worth ruining your eyesight.

12. Never Sit With You Feet On The Dashboard

Many passengers put their feet on the dashboard during long car rides because it is comfortable. However, this can be very dangerous in the event of an accident.

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The airbags are in the dashboard, and if they deploy while someone has their feet up, they can cause serious injuries. People can get broken legs, hip fractures, or even die because of this. Although it might not be as comfortable, keep your legs on the ground.

13. Knowing SOS Can Save You

While knowing morse code is not essential unless it is part of your job, everyone should know one crucial code if they are in danger. SOS was mostly used by ships in distress, but it is now common for people to know.

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Just in case you are ever in danger and can’t call for help, knowing the SOS morse code can help you. It is three dots, three dashes, and another three dots. It’s simple and easy to commit to memory.

14. Always Write The Year Fully When Signing A Legal Document

When you are signing and dating legal documents, you are probably used to writing MM/DD/YY instead of writing the full year. People might write 21 as an abbreviation for 2021, but that is incorrect.

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To protect your legal documents, make sure to write the full year because if you don’t, other people can edit the date on your papers. It takes an extra second to add the two additional numbers to the date, and it can save you a headache.

15. Living Through A Lightning Strike

Lightning is not only scary, but it is also dangerous. Lightning can cause disaster in just seconds, so it is best to know what to do to avoid getting severely injured.

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The best way to protect yourself is to crouch down close to the ground, cover your ears, and make sure the only thing touching the ground is the balls of your feet. This pose protects you because lightning usually strikes the tallest objects, and it also protects your hearing from loud thunder.

16. Make Sure Your Dog’s Paws Are Protected In The Winter

If you live in a place that is frequented by snow and ice, you know that walkways and roads can be dangerous. Most places salt the roads and sidewalks to help people avoid accidents, but that can be harmful to our furry friends.

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The chemicals in salt used to prevent ice on roads and walkways are harmful to animals. Every time you take your animals outside, make sure to thoroughly clean their paws when they come inside or have them wear booties. This can prevent your pets from getting very sick.

17. If There Is A Flood, Always Take The Stairs

Flash floods are more common than people think, and they can be terrifying if you are trapped somewhere. In a state of shock, you might panic and not know what to do, but being prepared can prevent that from happening.

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If you live in a building or happen to be in a building with many floors, it might seem faster to take an elevator. However, flooding can cause electrical damage, and the elevator can get stuck. Therefore, it’s always better to take the stairs in case of an emergency.

18. Don’t Put Peppermint Oil On A Tick Bite

There are so many hacks on the internet to help you make life easier, but not all of them should be followed, especially when they are health-related hacks. You have to be careful what advice you follow, and this one should definitely be avoided.

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There was a viral video of a woman putting peppermint oil on a tick bite, but this is not good for you. If you experience a tick or insect bite, it is better to follow professional medical advice to remove the insect. Oils make ticks salivate more, and this puts you at a higher risk for Lyme disease.

19. An Interior Basement Is The Best Place To Be During A Tornado

“It’s a twister. It’s a twister!” Tornados are deadly and destructive, which is why places that have a lot of tornados have special shelters to go into. It is crucial to take shelter when there is a tornado, and the safest place to be is an interior basement or storm shelter.

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An interior basement is at least partially underground, which can protect you from the storm’s force. It is essential to stay underground until the tornado has passed and the storm has calmed down before assessing the damage.

20. If Your Car Is Sinking Use The Headrest To Break The Window

Car accidents happen every day, and sadly they can turn fatal very easily. One scenario that usually happens in TV or films is a car sinking in a body of water. The person might swerve off a bridge or roll into a lake, and people don’t know what to do when those situations happen in real life.

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If you ever find yourself in this situation, take the seat’s headrest and use it to break the window so you can swim to the surface. While the chances of this happening are slim, it’s better to know what to do instead of panicking.

21. If Someone Is Shivering And They Suddenly Get Warm Enough To Take Off Their Jacket, Don’t Let Them

In very cold places, hypothermia can quickly happen to anyone without warm enough clothing. Being exposed to freezing temperatures can turn fatal if you are not safe and shouldn’t be left untreated.

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Mild hypothermia is when someone feels cold, but that changes as it progresses. Severe hypothermia causes people to experience “paradoxical undressing,’ meaning they take off their clothes even though they are freezing because they suddenly feel hot. This can cause them to freeze to death, so someone should make sure they keep their clothes on.