It’s easy to overlook some essential aspects of our daily lives. There are several pieces of knowledge that many people surprisingly don’t know.
We are here to shed light on some of these often overlooked or misunderstood topics, providing you with essential information that can make a significant difference in your daily life.
1. Antibiotics & Bacteria
“Different antibiotics work on different bacteria. You can’t take random antibiotics you’ve stocked up on at home and assume they will work for an infection.” and “Antibiotics only work on bacteria. Colds are viral infections.”
Antibiotics are designed to fight bacteria, not viruses. It is a common misconception that antibiotics can cure viral infections like the common cold. In reality, antibiotics only work on bacterial infections.
2. Food Safety
“Basic food safety, somehow.”
Basic food safety is surprisingly unknown to many. It is essential to understand the basics of food storage, preparation, and consumption to prevent foodborne illnesses.
For example, perishable foods should be refrigerated promptly, hands should be washed thoroughly before and after handling food, and raw and cooked foods should be kept separate to avoid cross-contamination.
3. Garbage Disposal Maintenance
“If you own a garbage disposal you have to actually run it at least a few times a week or it will rust and stop working.”
Additionally, avoid putting fibrous or hard materials like bones, coffee grounds, or eggshells into the disposal as they can cause clogs or damage the blades.
4. Dryer Vent & Furnace Filter Maintenance
“Clean the dryer vent. Change furnace filter regularly”
A clogged dryer vent can lead to a fire (and should always be vented to the outside), and a dirty furnace filter can reduce the efficiency of your heating system and degrade the air quality in your home.
5. Computer File Storage
“How to find where files are stored on their computer.”
Many people struggle to find where files are stored on their computers. Understanding the basics of file storage and organization can save time and frustration.
For example, knowing the difference between the hard drive and cloud storage, and organizing files into folders can make it easier to locate and manage your documents.
6. Schizophrenia & Multiple Personalities
“Schizophrenia has nothing to do with multiple personalities.”
Schizophrenia is often confused with multiple personality disorder. However, schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by abnormal social behavior and failure to understand reality, while multiple personality disorder, now known as dissociative identity disorder, is a condition where a person has two or more distinct personalities.
7. Water Intake for Babies
“Babies below 6 months shouldn’t drink water, it can be fatal.”
Babies below 6 months should not drink water as it can be fatal. They get all their hydration from breast milk or formula. Giving additional water can lead to water intoxication as children under 6 months have underdeveloped kidneys.
It is essential to stick to breast milk or formula for their hydration needs.
8. Grease Fire & Water
“DO NOT try to put out a grease fire with water.”
Water can cause the fire to spread and become more dangerous. Instead, use a fire extinguisher or smother the fire with a lid or baking soda. It is crucial to have a fire extinguisher accessible in the kitchen and to know how to use it properly.
9. Winter Tires
“That winter tires are more about how they handle freezing temperatures than they are for snow/ice. And all seasons are not winter tires.”
The rubber compound in winter tires remains soft in freezing temperatures, providing better traction on icy and snowy roads.
10. Periodontitis & Heart Disease
“Getting periodontitis (gum disease) can be a precursor to getting heart disease”
The bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream and lead to inflammation in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease. (ref)
11. Fishy Smell & Electrical Outlets
“If your house suddenly smells fishy & you’re not cooking fish, check your electrical outlets, particularly any multi-plug extension cables.”
Burnt-out sockets and plugs give off a fishy smell, so immediately check all over your house to save yourself from an electrical fire.
12. Mixing Bleach & Ammonia
“Don’t mix bleach and ammonia, it makes chlorine gas! I work in a cleaning/sanitization job and we have ammonia-based cleaners and bleach.”
Many people mistakenly mix them thinking they’re making a stronger sanitizer, but don’t do it because the gas it will produce is harmful.
13. Yellow Teeth & Hygiene
“Yellow teeth do not have to be a sign of bad hygiene!”
Various factors like genes, diet, and environmental quality can turn your teeth yellowish over time. Consuming dark-colored foods and beverages, tobacco use, and aging can also contribute to the yellowing of teeth.
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help maintain the health and appearance of your teeth.
14. Propaganda & Bias
“You aren’t immune to propaganda. If you get all of your news from one source or one bias, or find sources that just confirm your own ideas, you probably have been subject to and believe in propaganda. It’s easier to fool people than to convince them they’ve been fooled. Everyone sees the sensationalized moment, but not the quiet redaction or the outcome, leading to a wrong idea of what happened.”
Diversify your news sources and be critical of the information you consume.
15. OCD & Cleanliness
“OCD rarely has anything to do with being clean, tidy or orderly.”
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). While some people with OCD may have cleaning or organizing compulsions, others may have completely different symptoms. (ref)
16. Driving Distance
“You need to leave room between you and the car in front of you when driving.”
This is essential for your safety and the safety of others on the road. Maintaining a safe following distance gives you time to react to sudden stops or emergencies. The recommended following distance is at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.
17. Spontaneous Combustion of Rags
“Rags soaked with paint thinner, varnish, oil-based paint, polyurethane, and/or other volatile oils can actually spontaneously combust without any outside ignition source.”
This is because as the oil dries, it generates heat, and without proper ventilation, the heat can build up and ignite the rags. Store used rags in a well-ventilated area or a sealed, water-filled container.
18. Missing Persons Report
“There is no minimum time to wait to file a missing persons report. You know your person better than the police, even if they tell you to wait, file one anyway.”
The sooner you file a report, the sooner the police can start looking for the missing person. Provide as much information as possible, including a recent photo, description of clothing, and any known locations the person may go to.
19. Geographical Differences
“The differences between a continent, a country, a province/state, and a city”
This is fundamental geographical knowledge that many people often confuse. A continent is a large landmass, a country is a nation with its own government, a province/state is a region within a country, and a city is a large town or urban area. Knowing these differences is essential for understanding geography and global politics.
20. Cleaning Blood Stains
“Salt will clean blood out of any fabric, even the whitest clothes or bedsheets.”
To remove a blood stain, rinse the fabric in cold water, then make a paste of salt and cold water and apply it to the stain. Rub the fabric together to work in the paste, then rinse in cold water. Repeat if necessary, then wash as usual.
21. Handling Nosebleeds
“If you have a nosebleed, tilt your head FORWARD, not back. Tilting it back makes the blood go down your throat, and you can feel nauseated or start to vomit because of it.”
Instead, pinch your nostrils together and breathe through your mouth. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10-15 minutes, seek medical attention.
22. Understanding Differences
“That people are different and what is obvious to one might not be obvious to another.”
Understand that people are different, and what is obvious to one might not be obvious to another. This is a crucial aspect of effective communication and empathy.
Recognizing and respecting others’ perspectives, experiences, and knowledge can lead to more meaningful interactions and relationships. Approach conversations with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others.
Understanding these basic yet significant aspects of daily life can greatly impact your safety, health, and overall well-being. Being informed is key. Knowledge is power, and being aware of these often-overlooked facts can help you make better decisions and lead a healthier, safer life.
23. The Power of Blue Light on Sleep Patterns
Recent studies (ref) have shown that exposure to blue light, especially from screens before bedtime, can significantly impact your sleep quality. The blue light emitted by phones, tablets, and computers can disrupt your circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep and potentially leading to poorer sleep quality.
It’s recommended to limit screen time at least an hour before bed and consider using night mode on devices in the evening to reduce blue light exposure. This simple change could lead to better sleep and more energetic days.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
