Our bodies are fragile. Though we may feel invincible when young, as we age, we realize how dangerous everyday activities might be.
In 2020, over 200,000 people lost their lives from unintentional injuries. Poisoning, vehicular accidents, and falls were the top causes.
Although many unintentional injuries aren’t life-threatening, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid them all together.
While scrolling through Reddit, I stumbled upon an educational thread in the popular R/lifeprotips community asking users to share life-saving advice to help prevent these unfortunate accidents.
Users were happy to share safety tips to help you live a long and healthy life!
Hold Onto the Railing
“If you’re walking down the stairs, hold on to the railing,” advised one user. Another added that you should never descend a flight of stairs with your hands in your pockets, as you won’t have any way to catch yourself if you fall.
Falling down the stairs is a horrible experience. “All you have to do is fall down the stairs once, and you always hold,” added another user. Prevent injury by grabbing that railing as you walk downstairs.
Green Doesn’t Mean Go
Green may give you the legal right to go, but that doesn’t always mean it’s safe. “A green light for you does not mean that a magic impenetrable wall has suddenly appeared for the cross traffic,” stated one user.
You never know when someone else isn’t paying attention to the road or is in a hurry and will speed through a red light. You don’t need to go the second the light turns green, take a second to ensure it’s safe first.
Clean Your Dryer Trap
You should clean the lint from your dryer trap regularly. If lint builds up, it creates a fire hazard.
“I’ve had a lot of roommates throughout my 20s, and 2 of them in 2 different households didn’t know to clean the lint tray somehow and nearly caused a fire,” shared one user.
Another added that you should clean the plastic ring around the dryer entrance, as it can also trap lint.
Don’t Try To Catch a Knife
“A falling knife has no handle,” said one user, adding that instead of trying to catch a dropped knife, you should move quickly out of its way.
“Just let it drop, then pick it up,” added another user. Although we instinctively want to grab falling objects, it’s not worth the risk.
Drowning Doesn’t Always Look Like Drowning
The media often portrays drawing as loud, splashy, and apparent. In reality, that’s not always the case. “Don’t assume someone is okay just because they’re not yelling for help or waving their arms,” advised one Redditor.
“Hard to yell when your trachea is full of water,” stated another.
Users also explained that drowning people are dangerous to bystanders and unqualified helpers. “When a person genuinely fears for their life, they enter a “crabs in a bucket” mindset. You’ll be used as a flotation device, and soon you’ll be the person drowning,” explained one commenter.
Don’t Mix Household Cleaning Products
You can accidentally make noxious gas if you mix the wrong household chemicals together.
“Made this mistake as a college student trying to clean the oven for the first time,” admitted one user. “Just sprayed some of basically everything I had in the oven, closed it up, and when I went back and opened it, I got sick instantly. Like, inhaled a little, then projectile vomited. Was able to get out of the room, but it was not pleasant,” they added.
Firearm Safety
We can’t overstate the importance of safe firearm handling.
“I don’t care how safe you’re being, if it’s unloaded, or if the safety is on, never point a gun at another person as a joke. You can’t “it’s just a prank, bro” out of murder!” exclaimed one user.
The best advice we’ve ever received about firearm safety is to treat every weapon as if it’s loaded at all times.
Stay Away from Train Tracks
“Don’t mess around on the train tracks. If your vehicle gets stuck, get out immediately and dial the number on the blue sign,” said one user.
Trains can’t stop on a dime. The conductor will not be able to stop if they see you on the tracks. Don’t tempt fate. Call the appropriate number to get help and keep a safe distance.
Don’t Store Oily Rags
Oily rags can spontaneously combust without a spark. “From what I remember, either the oil drying or some other chemical reaction is exothermic enough to eventually cause combustion if they’re wadded up and insulating each other,” explained one user when asked how this happens.
Another said they’re an insurance agent and see a lot of claims over fires caused by oily rags. People often toss these rags in the trash without a second thought, which can lead to combustion.
“Lay the dirty rags flat in a well-ventilated area until they’re dry and stiff, then you can throw them out,” said one user, offering advice on how to avoid flames.
Wear Your Seat Belt
Vehicle accidents are a leading cause of unintentional death. Many could have been avoided if the person was wearing a seat belt.
Everyone in the car should be secured, including those in the back seat. “In an accident, they become projectiles and dangerous to the other occupants in the car,” stated one user.
Stay Safe Out There
Life is a fantastic gift; we want to stick around for as long as possible to enjoy all its blessings. The Reddit thread offered some wonderful tips for avoiding danger to help you live a long and happy life.