When we're suddenly faced with an emergency, it's surprisingly easy to panic. A pan catches fire while you're cooking, an electrical wire starts sparking, or something goes seriously wrong when you're completely unprepared—and suddenly, even the simplest decision can feel difficult to make. But wouldn't it be better if we knew a few useful things beforehand, so we could stay a little calmer and know what to do when those random situations happen?
That's exactly why we dove into a Reddit thread where people were asked to share a fact that had actually saved their life. Some of the answers are simple things you might never think about until you desperately need them, while others could genuinely come in handy during an emergency. Keep scrolling, Pandas—you never know when one of these little pieces of knowledge might come in handy.
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#62
If you have sudden pain in your head, the worst you have ever had, you should go to the ER. It could be an aneurysm. This is something you should be even more aware of if you have hit your head recently.
Eta: the headache after the fall would be a brain bleed not an aneurysm. Please see u/ThAw2t16 comment below.
Eta: the headache after the fall would be a brain bleed not an aneurysm. Please see u/ThAw2t16 comment below.
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8points
#63
If you are filling gas up in a canister, place it on the ground and NOT in your car or trunk. Static energy can create an explosion.
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8points
#64
Look both ways before crossing the street. Even if it's green for you. Even if you have right of way you still lose if a car hits you!
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7points
#65
Two identical cars on a motorway/interstate.
One doing 70, the other doing 100.
Both see a blockage in the road and because the 100 car has a driver with a faster reaction time, they both hit the brakes at **exactly** the same time and with as much force.
By the time the car doing 70 has stopped, the car doing 100 is still doing over 70.
An extra 30, nearly triples your stopping distance.
One doing 70, the other doing 100.
Both see a blockage in the road and because the 100 car has a driver with a faster reaction time, they both hit the brakes at **exactly** the same time and with as much force.
By the time the car doing 70 has stopped, the car doing 100 is still doing over 70.
An extra 30, nearly triples your stopping distance.
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7points
#67
In many places you can text 911. Remember to include your location because texting doesn’t include the same geotracking information that E911 systems use. And if texting 911 isn’t available in your area, you should get a bounce back message that it won’t work.
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7points
#68
That huge curled up piece of metal that looks like a spring?
Example, garages, heavy-truck suspensions, truck lift gates, rail and marine vehicles.
Avoid it completely.
Example, garages, heavy-truck suspensions, truck lift gates, rail and marine vehicles.
Avoid it completely.
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7points
#69
If you find yourself in a heated disagreement with someone don’t assume that because you have something to live for, that is also true for them. Many that have died as a result of a confrontation severely underestimated just how far their opponent was willing to go;.
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7points
#70
If you’re a woman, jaw pain can be a sign of a heart attack.
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7points
#71
1. If you use the subway, be aware of where the switch is to cut power to the third rail, in the stations that you use regularly. If somebody has fallen onto the tracks, cutting the power eliminates the risk of electrocution, and makes it easier for an oncoming train to brake on time. If you're the one who fell onto the tracks, you'll be able to point the switch out to other people, who will be panicking and not knowing how to help you.
2. Everybody has the number for 911 or their country's equivalent memorized, but how many people know the number for poison control? Put it in your phone's contact list.
2. Everybody has the number for 911 or their country's equivalent memorized, but how many people know the number for poison control? Put it in your phone's contact list.
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7points
#72
Do not throw water on grease fires, if you have a fire blanket, use that, but you can also throw baking soda on it which will smother the flames.
Edited to add very important points: do not substitute baking soda with flour or baking powder as these are combustible and will make things a LOT worse!
Use baking soda, cover it if contained in a pot, keep oven closed if the fire is in the oven, or use a fire extinguisher that is safe for electronics.
Stay safe!
Edited to add very important points: do not substitute baking soda with flour or baking powder as these are combustible and will make things a LOT worse!
Use baking soda, cover it if contained in a pot, keep oven closed if the fire is in the oven, or use a fire extinguisher that is safe for electronics.
Stay safe!
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7points
#73
If you're ever being dragged underwater by a crocodile, poke it in the eyes. It's the only truly soft spot and will almost always make it let go.
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7points
#74
If you’re at the ocean and you see it suddenly receding, it’s soon going to be coming back as a tsunami. Get to high ground immediately.
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6points
#75
You're safer sleeping with your bedroom door shut than open, if there is a fire. The room can be completely untouched by fire if the door is shut, but burned to a crisp if it's open.
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5points
#76
Paramedics won't saying anything to cops so saying nothing to cops and everything to paramedics.
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4points
#77
On a busy highway, call a wrecker and wait in your car if you have a problem. Your car is designed to survive a 70mph impact if another car hits you. Your body isn't.
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4points