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A quick fire starter, how to survive a kangaroo attack, and the secret of your dog's magnetic butt. Today, we're going to be sharing 11 interesting facts that could, in a pinch, save your behind.
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11 Facts That Could Save Your Life | Mental Floss
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0:00
The ability to sniff out snacks that have rolled under your couch isn't your dog's only superpower
0:04
According to one study from 2013, dogs tend to align with the Earth's north-south axis when doing their business
0:10
Researchers tracked the bowel movements of 70 domestic canines over two years, and found that dogs are both attuned to the planet's magnetic field and have a preference for which direction they face
0:19
At least, they do while they're pooping. Of course, your dog's butt isn't a perfect compass
0:24
They only found these results when the magnetic field was calm, and replication of the results has been hit or miss
0:29
So definitely bring a compass when you're hiking. But if all you have is a dog, well, we can try and make that work too
0:35
Hi, I'm Erin McCarthy, editor-in-chief of MentalFloss.com, and this is The List Show
0:39
Your dog's compass poop is just one fact that may one day save your life
0:43
May is a key word here. We're not doctors or survivalists. So, you know, be careful
0:49
Let's get started. Americans are taught from a young age to dial 911 in an emergency. That advice works great if you're
1:01
in your hometown, but it's less helpful if you drive your car into a ditch while traveling abroad
1:06
Fortunately, several foreign countries use 911 as their emergency number, including Canada and Fiji. Nations that use a different number may still redirect you to
1:13
their emergency services if you dial 911. That's the case in the UK, where the official number to
1:18
is technically 999. This convenience is as helpful for hapless tourists as it is for residents raised
1:24
on American movies and TV. Now, if only there was a universal number to call to get the scratches
1:27
out of your rental car. Asking for a friend. If you smell a fishy odor in your house, the
1:33
possibility that last week's tuna salad has gone bad is the best case scenario. The worst case is
1:38
an electrical fire. Your home's outlets and circuit breakers are protected with heat-resistant
1:42
chemicals, and they're the first line of defense when things start to overheat. The chemicals can
1:46
give off a fishy smell when they start getting really hot The good news is that this stage often comes before a full blown fire So there may be time to prevent an electrical disaster You should get an electrician to take a look regardless and if that doesn stop the stench maybe it time to clean out your fridge
2:01
Kangaroos are the kickboxers of the animal kingdom, but that doesn't mean they fight dirty
2:06
Because beating up a defenseless opponent is no fun, kangaroos sometimes use a weak cough
2:10
to show submission to stronger males. You can use that trick if you ever find yourself face to face with a kangaroo and their unsettlingly
2:16
large biceps. Seriously, why are they so muscular? It's upsetting. Anyway, before the animal can attack, let out a short, non-threatening cough and try
2:24
to make yourself look small. If you sound pathetic enough, the animal may take pity on you and hop off in the other direction
2:31
Just remember, if the roo is looking rough, raise a white flag and cough
2:35
That works better on paper. Every commercial flight begins with a safety demonstration
2:39
But airplane cabins have one clever feature even seasoned travelers might not know about
2:44
The armrest nearest to the aisle can be raised by pressing a button or pulling a lever hidden
2:48
on the underside near the hinge. The main purpose is for accessibility for flyers with mobility impairments, but it might
2:53
also be useful for safety. During an emergency, lifting the outer armrest can clear the way for a speedy evacuation
2:59
And though you shouldn't have it up all the time for multiple safety-related reasons
3:03
the feature might also come in handy when you have to make frequent bathroom trips mid-flight. That's one of many reasons why a margarita pitcher from the airport Applebee's is a
3:10
bad idea. Mental Floss Tangent Did you know that in 2023 we finally got the answer to the age-old question
3:17
when is the best time to go to the bathroom on a flight? The answer is right before drink service starts
3:22
We discussed that and more in our list of 100 things we learned in 2023. Go check it out if you want 99 more very important facts
3:29
When your body absorbs iodine, your thyroid gland converts the chemical element into vital hormones
3:34
This can become a liability in the aftermath of a nuclear power plant problem
3:38
And by power plant, I mean power plant. There so much other stuff going on with a nuclear bomb that iodine isn anywhere near the top of the worry list Anyway nuclear power plants can produce the radioactive isotope iodine In controlled amounts it can be useful for many medical procedures
3:54
but in uncontrolled situations, it can lead to things like thyroid cancer. It's not the only type of nuclear radiation that causes health issues
4:00
but it is the easiest to protect against. Since your thyroid can only absorb so much iodine at once
4:06
meeting its limit with a stable version can protect it from the unstable isotope in case of exposure
4:11
It's not a radiation shield by any means. And unless a doctor tells you to, you definitely shouldn't be preemptively taking potassium iodide pills
4:18
because they come with their own problems. But it is good to know that there's a body hack we have that can help mitigate some types of radioactive materials
4:25
A bucket of oily rags doesn't need an outside heat source to combust
4:29
If ignored long enough, it can catch fire spontaneously and spread to anything that's flammable nearby
4:34
The root of the problem is oxidation. As the oil on a rag oxidizes, it generates its own heat
4:39
And if that rag is buried at the bottom of a pile, the heat has nowhere to go
4:44
Temperatures may eventually rise high enough for the rags to ignite on their own, even if they're stored away from outlets and electronics
4:50
That's why it's important to dispose of your oil-soaked trash the right way. And if you can't find the energy to do that after a big painting or staining project
4:57
fill your rag container, which should be made of metal and have a tight-fitting lid, with
5:01
water and a little detergent, which will help to break down the oils. Then take that container to a hazardous waste disposal center
5:07
A highly flammable material is a hazard in your home, but on the trail, it can be a lifesaver
5:12
That's why you should always pack a bag of Doritos when hiking in the backcountry. The snack food consists of corn fried in vegetable oil, which is a perfect recipe for flames
5:20
even if you didn't opt for the flame and hot version. If you need to start a fire, stack the chips beneath your kindling before igniting them
5:26
The snack catches fire easily and burns long and hot, making it the perfect base for your campfire
5:31
This trick also works with corn-based chips like Fritos, Cheetos, and Tostitos
5:35
Basically anything in the Eitos family Provided of course you have the willpower to keep from eating them which I don Metro systems around the world have come up with creative safeguards to protect passengers who fall onto the tracks One helpful safety feature is hidden from view until the
5:49
moment you need it. If you ever find yourself in a train's path and don't have time to climb to
5:53
safety, look for an alcove tucked beneath the subway platform. The sole purpose of these
5:58
shelters is to give fallen riders a place to hide until the tracks are clear. Not all stations have
6:02
them, so the best way to stay safe is by keeping your distance from the tracks until your train
6:06
arrives. Being the first one in the car isn't worth it. The average human body is less dense
6:11
than water, at least when the lungs are full of air, which means, in general, we're buoyant enough
6:16
to float without exerting much effort. Under the right conditions, someone lost at sea can survive
6:20
more than 24 hours by floating on their backs. For comparison, it would take just a few hours of
6:25
treading water for most people to succumb to fatigue. To increase your odds of survival after
6:29
falling overboard, lean your head back, stretch out your arms and legs, and keep your lungs as
6:34
full as possible. This strategy works best in warm, calm, and ideally shark-free waters. Though
6:40
remember, sharks don't usually want to eat you. Animals with rabies are often depicted as violent
6:44
and out of control. According to the Humane Society, this is typical of rabid animals in
6:49
their furious form. But the disease also has what's slightly misleadingly called the paralytic form
6:54
In this state, the infected creature may be slow, disoriented, and even partially paralyzed
6:59
They may seem tame to the outside observer, but you shouldn't mistake them for a friendly pet
7:05
A dumb rabbit animal is just as dangerous as a furious one, so keep your distance and
7:08
call animal control if a raccoon starts treating you like Snow White. And please, make sure to check about getting a rabies shot if you think you even got close
7:16
to coming in contact with something rabid. Rabies is lethal if left untreated
7:20
That's all the life-saving facts we have for you today. While most of our videos won't necessarily save your life, unless you're in a really
7:26
high stakes trivia game, they will definitely make you a little bit smarter
7:30
Make sure to subscribe to stay up to date with all things Mental Floss. And we'll see you next time
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