Beebo Brink

We've all got them: random safety tips we picked up from a magazine or TV or were handed down to us by our parents. For whatever reason, they struck a chord and now they're as much a part of our routine as brushing our teeth. I'll start with mine, most of which center on my car:

Car floor mat: Every morning, before I get in the car, I adjust the floor mat on the driver's side so it won't bunch up near the front and jam the brake or accelerator peddles.

Packing the trunk: Any time I put something the trunk, especially heavy objects, I shove them as far back into the trunk as I can. This lessens the chance that they'll come flying over the back seat during a crash.

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Noob: "okay.... im in a house with cages and people in gags and the door just locked and i cant get out :c"

Pie Psaltery

All that immediately came to mind was:

Front to back, girls ... NEVER back to front.

I hand out this advice when performing female genital piercings, and you'd be shocked at how many women look at me and ask a serious and wide-eyed "Why?!?"

"Because... poop", I reply and you can see the understanding as to why they never get eaten out dawning in their eyes.

And thus do I do my part to promote healthy cunnilingus.

Amber Guity

The one that has had the most impact on my life has been the one my dad told me when he was teaching me to drive. He said "always assume the worst about the drivers around you". This defensive driving tip has saved me from so many accidents I can't even count them all.

Another is the simple act of washing my hands a lot. I hate having my hands wet (no idea why), but when my daughter was born, I made myself get in the habit of washing my hands every time I come into the house, touch the garbage, use the bathroom, etc. I go through tons of lotion, but I haven't been sick in years, and my daughter rarely gets sick either.

Wrong Weatherwax

Do not skimp on safety glasses. Seriously, the cheap safety glasses that you can purchase aren't worth the plastic they are made from, nor will they breath to keep your vision unobstructed, nor will they provide the appropriate coverage in the lower half of your vision. When I worked restorative construction I often had times where I had to descale rebar with a rotary mounted steel brush. Having one of those metal spines punch through your safety glass was a literal eye opener.

Use PPE! If your job recommends it or the job even seems like it needs it (yes, even at home) use it!

Carry a pocket knife. I know there are many places these days where knives aren't encouraged but a small pocket knife can be a great tool. If you can't carry a pocket knife, consider picking up a P38. I've carried one for years and you can use it from everything to cleaning out from under your fingernails to tightening a screw.

P-38 Can Opener The Armys Greatest Invention

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An education was a bit like a communicable sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on. -Terry Pratchett

Beezle Warburton

Safety glasses, like steel toed boots, must be ANSI* rated. If you have prescription glasses and an industrial job, get some ANSI rated frames with polycarbonate lenses. They will likely be ugly and expensive. But not as ugly and expensive as putting an eye out. If it's around the house (garage/workshop/yardwork) you can either get over-prescription-glasses styles or a face shield.

*Or the regional equivalent of ANSI, I'm not sure the European equivalent.

Yay for the P38.

As an alternative to the pocket knife, I carry around a Leatherman Wave.

As far as PPE, yellow kitchen gloves won't cut it sometimes. Consider keeping a pair of elbow-length neoprene gloves handy. Rather bulky, but they don't dissolve as easily.

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Sea Warcliffe

+1 on the knife! I like the CRKT K.I.S.S. combo edge

Never ever let your feet or hands get inside the bight of a line that's going overboard.

Always wear gloves if you are hand-lining anything of substance off a moving vessel - tie the bitter end off first, and be ready to drop the line.

If a wave comes over the rail, duck into and grab a fixed object tight even if you are wearing a safety line. Squealing like a girl is acceptable under these circumstances.

A back is a terrible thing to waste - really do lift with your knees.

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Wrong Weatherwax

Oh man, so true. I saw a couple of really touchy incidents happen and one death in the Navy from this very thing. Speaking of boat safety and fishing safety know where all your lines are. If sailing, this includes knowing where your boom is.

Loraan Fierrens

I'm old school on the knife... I carry a Swiss Army knife pretty much everywhere. I'm paranoid about making sure I pack it in checked luggage whenever I have to fly somewhere. Also, I keep a safety / first aid kit in the trunk of the car as well as jumper cables and bungie cords.

Oh, and Sea has reminded me of a lesson I was taught about sailboats. If someone shouts "boom" get down now.

ETA: Yeah, what Wrong says. That's what I get for taking a while to push the Save button.

Adeon Writer

Another one for safety glasses. I can't count the amount of times I've had things whack my goggles before I could even flinch.

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My mobile client puts the thread title at the top of my posts. I don't do it on purpose.

Bard Jameson

If you go into a skid, turn in the direction of the skid.

Decelerate into a curve, accelerate out of it.

Even in clear dry weather, a car length of space for every 10mph (I know it can seem impossible in heavy freeway traffic, but TRY, ffs!)

In deep darkness faced with oncoming high beams, focus on the right edge of the road - hopefully you have a white limit line, but in any case avoid the natural tendency to look into the lights.

You will steer where you look, so be careful where you look. (relates to above)

I also am paranoid about the floor mat like Beebo, and always straighten it when getting in.

ABS pretty much makes this one moot - but in any case, when braking - no matter how panicked you are - do not lean all your weight on the brake pedal! Do not lock your wheels! The friction of your brake system is many times higher than that of your tires on pavement - let the brakes take all the friction.

Ensure your emergency brake is properly adjusted at all times. We call them "Parking Brakes" now, and they are, but if your hydraulics go out, that's all you've got - so it is then your emergency brake.

And finally, on the defensive driving note from Amber, I modified it this way "Always drive as if every other vehicle on the road is TRYING to kill you!"

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Sidney Kwon

Never pass a car without looking in their side mirror first.

Another car tip is having a safety tool within hand reach of the driver similar to one of these. You never know when you might need to get out of your car quickly. It's also a good idea to have an emergency kit in your car as well with first aid basics, jumper cables, flares and simple tools to fix car problems in the middle of nowhere.

Yes to the always carrying a knife of some sort as well

I'm freaky about washing my hands. 20+ seconds of scrubbing. Any soap with do

Always protect your eyes and ears. You only get the one set

Know where your electrical breaker box, main gas line and water shut offs are in your home

Mad Mouse

For my part of the world:

Always put blankets, road salt, a shovel, extra clothes, flashlights, flares, and non-perishable foods in your car in case you're stranded in a snowstorm/blizzard.

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Soen Eber

Basic rule of driving: never surprise anyone, and never let anyone surprise you.

If the person in front of you is tailgating, give extra room so his panic stop won't surprise you.

Develop routines whenever possible: glasses, watch & wallet always go *here*, take *this* route to work because it is the safest, get out of the tub in *this* method, and modify the routine as you think of safer ways to do it.

Raindrop Drinkwater

Take your rings off when moving heavy objects, or doing stuff where your fingers could potentially get caught in something.

Use the right knife for the right job. Want to slice a piece of bread? Use a serrated knife, or your knife will find the closest chunk of meat available -- that is, your fingers.

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Wrong Weatherwax

I've got a bit of advice on the floor mat thing. I bought a car a number of years ago that was sold with a heavy rubber mat on top of the standard floor mat. This is nice not only because it protects your regular mats from getting messed up but also, I've never had a mat slide at all with the heavier mats on top of them. The top mats, since they have the little anchor nodules on them don't slide either. Ever since that one car, I've done it for all my others.

Joshooah Lovenkraft

Generally speaking I would say, try to be present and aware of your surroundings and what you are doing. It's often the case that when you are distracted, accidents and other bad things happen.

Sharp knives are safer than dull ones.

If you're going to ride a donorcycle, wear a fucking helmet.

Don't be an asshole and drive while impaired.

Prevention really is better than the cure.

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Void

I always found that instruction confused people, but when I told them "face the wheels the direction you want to go" they have a lot les problem understanding. plus it helps to tell them to let off the gas for a second and then slowly accelerate. braking while sliding is a disaster

then again I drove dirt track... lots of freedom to learn that stuff without getting yourself killed.

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- These eyes can do more than see

Zaida Gearbox

If you ever see a ball roll out into the street ALWAYS assume that there is a child right behind it.

The driver in front of you might be able to see something that you can't. So, if they're driving really slow it might be for a reason.

When riding a bike - if conditions are such that a car needs lights so do you. Lights are required by law when riding between dusk and dawn, and they're a really good idea during times such as fog, rain, just really really cloudy, etc.

Ride with traffic not against it.

Do not weave in and out between parked cars. You might think you're being considerate by getting over, so that cars can pass you. What your'e actually doing is confusing the hell out of them because they don't know what you're going to do next.

Beebo Brink

I'm doomed.

Lloyd Newman

Assume the Universe is out to get you. It will, eventually. The point of the game is to delay that moment as long as possible.


"Worst Case Scenario". Prepare for it, even if you're filling out a crossword puzzle. This way you can only be pleasantly surprised by what happens.

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Sid Nagy

Watch where the wind comes from when you have to pee in open air.

Raindrop Drinkwater

Conversely, if you're a girl and have to pee in the forest at night: map the area beforehand, while there's still light. Stinging nettles are. not. fun.

Lucifer Baphomet

Always sit where you can see the doors in a bar or restaurant.

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Beezle Warburton

As an addendum, make a quick survey of possible exits when entering any building for the first time.

Beebo Brink

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