In 2010, Toyota Motor Corp. recalled millions of its car models because of a dangerous accelerator problem that caused vehicles to speed up and run out of control. But this problem was not limited to Toyota alone.
If that happens to you while driving, press the brakes firmly, and without lifting your foot off the brake pedal, put your car in neutral. It is necessary to not take your foot off the brake pedal as power brakes work on the principle of building engine vacuum, so if you lift your foot, you lose that vacuum-assist. (source)
9 If you are about to get run over by a vehicle, jump and try to swoop yourself up on the hood rather than falling on the ground.
It is highly likely that you wouldn’t see a car turn the corner when you are crossing the road. This puts you in danger of getting run over. When this happens, have the presence of mind to jump towards the car onto the hood with your hands near your head to prevent injuries to your head should the windshield crack.
When you don’t jump, you fall on the ground and can sustain serious injuries. If you are hit by a car and cannot see any external damage, get yourself examined anyway as internal damage can occur. Don’t cross the road while looking down at your phone, and don’t use headphones while walking near a road. (source)
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10 Bleach and ammonia when mixed together can form poison gas. NEVER do that!
Bleach and ammonia that are found in various cleaning products are a deadly combination. When mixed together, they form a toxic compound called chloramine vapor which can then form hydrazine which is poisonous. It is advisable to read the labels on the cleaning products and not to mix them. Also, follow the warnings for using adequate ventilation and protective gear while using them.
Never use chlorine bleach to disinfect water that contains organic matter, for example, pond water, as it will cause the same reaction. If you are exposed to such fumes, hold your breath, leave the site, and take in some fresh air. If you feel uneasy, seek emergency medical attention. (source)
11 If your airplane crashes into the water, don’t inflate your life vest until after you get out of the plane. Inflating it before will increase your chances of getting trapped in the fuselage as water levels inside the plane will rise pushing you towards the ceiling.
It is natural to panic if your airplane crash-lands into a body of water and is sinking. It is important to remember that inflating the life jackets as soon as you put them on will make them “death jackets” as it will increase your chances of getting stuck inside the plane.
Also, you might tear the jacket while using the emergency exits as they are pretty narrow. In 1996, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 crashed into the water and 125 passengers died as most of them had inflated their life jackets inside the plane and had got stuck. Don’t repeat that mistake and always pay attention to safety demonstrations. (source)
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12 If your car skids, steer in the direction of the skid rather than steering against it to increase the chances of regaining control of your car. This will also help you avoid the risk of flipping your car over. Don’t ever slam the brakes.
When we say that a car “skids,” it means the wheels of the car lost traction causing it to move uncontrollably. Skids, front-wheel ones or rear-wheel ones, occur due to heavy braking, locking up the front wheels, or turning too quickly for the condition of the road (ice, oil, or water).
In case of a front-wheel skid, it is important to keep the wheels in the direction of the skid. In case of a rear-wheel skid, you still have the ability to control the front wheels, so steer into the direction of the skid to counteract the effect and take your feet off the pedals to avoid flipping over. Do not use the brakes. Be calm and use your steering wheel rather than the pedals. If there is a forecast of bad weather, avoid driving. Getting your car serviced and checking the wheel air pressure weekly helps. (source)
13 If your hair stands on end while you are at an elevation, duck and find cover immediately. It is a sign that lightning is about to strike and you are in danger.
Between 1982 and 2011 on an average, 54 Americans died every year due to lightning strikes. Getting yourself educated about avoiding to get hurt by a lightning strike will save your life.
If you are on a hill and if your hair naturally rises in the air, escape as fast as you can as this is a sign of the presence of electricity in the air which often precedes a lightning strike. Consider this as a warning and take shelter. Do not climb any peaks when a thunderstorm is forecasted. (source)
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14 Most drunk-driving accidents occur on Saturday nights between midnight and 3 a.m. Avoid venturing out on the roads during these hours, if you can.
Image credit: Pixabay
The incidents of drunk-driving increase during holidays as people prefer to drink alcohol during those days. Out of all the days of the week, Saturday nights are the riskiest as there are more cars and more drunk-drivers that day.
According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 31% of the fatal drunk-driving accidents occur during the weekends. Fatal crashes occur four times more at night than in the morning.
Nearly half of the pedestrian fatalities occur on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and alcohol impairment in the driver or the pedestrian was reported in nearly half of the total pedestrian deaths on the road. (source)
15 If you are sinking in quicksand, try to lie down face up. This will be like floating on water as the dispersion of your weight will help you stay afloat.
If you get stuck in quicksand, the first thing to do is get rid of all your belongings and make yourself lighter. Simultaneously, take a few small and quick steps backward in the direction you came from towards solid ground.
Don’t take large steps as it will make it harder to maneuver if one leg gets stuck. If you have sunk waist-deep, assume a back float position as this will help your feet get back on the surface. Then, slowly begin moving towards solid ground. Don’t backstroke! Use your legs, slowly and steadily. This can take hours at times.
Assess your surroundings and reach for a hanging branch of a tree, and if you are with someone, hold on to their hand and try to get yourself pulled out. Keep breathing deeply as it will not only help you keep calm but also help with buoyancy. (source)
