Animals, like stray dogs, often attack for specific reasons, such as hunger or protecting their territory. If a dog charges at you despite your efforts to prevent it, remember these tips:
First, don’t shout at the dog. Shouting can be seen as aggression, making the dog angrier. If you have an ultrasonic dog repellent, use it. This device emits a high-frequency sound that irritates dogs, possibly causing them to run away.
If the dog gets close, try covering its head with your jacket or sweater to distract it, then slowly back away. If you don’t have outerwear, throw your bag or another object to the side to divert the dog’s attention. If you have food, like a sandwich, toss it to the dog—it might be what it’s after.
If the dog still attacks, protect your neck with your hands, as it’s a vulnerable area. If you must be bitten, the shin or forearm is safer. If faced with a pack of dogs, avoid letting them surround you by standing against a wall or fence.
Pay attention to a dog’s body language. If its ears are back and it’s growling, stay away. Avoid direct eye contact and sudden movements, as these can provoke an attack. Instead, try to ignore the dog until it calms down.
If you fall through ice, kick your legs to get horizontal and pull yourself out like a seal. In a whirlpool, ride the side and use the current to escape. If trapped in a falling elevator, lie down to absorb the impact. During a lightning storm, squat with your head between your knees and avoid tall objects.
If trapped under debris, protect your breathing by making a makeshift hood with your shirt. In a tornado, lie in a bathtub with a pillow over your head. During a house fire, crawl low to avoid smoke and use a cloth as a filter.
If caught in quicksand, keep your head above the surface and wiggle your legs to free them. In an avalanche, swim to stay on top and create an air pocket in front of your face.
To make waterproof matches, coat them with varnish. Keep fire escape ladders in your home. Never leave water bottles in direct sunlight, as they can start fires. If you taste metal in water, get out immediately due to possible electrical issues.
If tied with zip ties, rotate your wrists to loosen them. Don’t eat snow when thirsty; melt it first. If your hair stands on end during a storm, seek shelter immediately.
In the desert, move at night to conserve energy. Never mix bleach with ammonia, as it creates toxic gas. If stranded, burn a tire for a smoke signal. Use petroleum jelly to protect skin from frostbite.
To make a compass, magnetize a needle and float it on water. Repel insects by burning herbs like garlic or rosemary. Collect dew or rainwater for drinking.
To start a fire, use a 9-volt battery and steel wool. Make candles from butter and toilet paper. If cooking oil catches fire, cover it with a damp cloth or use baking soda to extinguish it.
If your car stalls on train tracks, run towards the train to avoid debris. If followed, make several right turns to confirm and lose the person. Seek help from others if possible, and avoid leading a follower to your home.
In an emergency, use your clothing to escape a grasp. High heels can be used for self-defense by stomping on an attacker’s foot. If followed, pretend to forget something and head towards a busy area.
Remember, staying calm and using these strategies can help you stay safe in various situations.
Imagine you are in a situation where a stray dog approaches you. Practice with a partner how to calmly and safely handle the situation using the tips from the article. Take turns being the dog and the person, and discuss what actions were effective.
Watch videos of dogs displaying different body language cues. Identify signs of aggression or calmness. Discuss with your classmates how understanding these cues can help you stay safe around animals.
Participate in a hands-on workshop where you practice survival skills mentioned in the article, such as making a fire with a 9-volt battery and steel wool or creating a makeshift compass. Reflect on how these skills can be useful in emergencies.
Work in groups to role-play different emergency scenarios, such as being caught in a lightning storm or trapped under debris. Use the strategies from the article to demonstrate how to stay safe and discuss what you learned from the experience.
Create a poster that highlights key safety tips from the article. Use visuals and short descriptions to make the information engaging and easy to understand. Display your poster in the classroom to remind everyone of these important safety strategies.
Animals – Living organisms that feed on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous systems and able to respond rapidly to stimuli. – In science class, we learned how different animals adapt to their environments to survive.
Attack – A sudden and violent action against someone or something. – The documentary showed how a lion’s attack on its prey is a natural part of the food chain.
Safety – The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury. – Wearing goggles in the lab is important for our safety when conducting experiments.
Language – A system of communication used by a particular community or country. – Scientists study the language of dolphins to understand how they communicate with each other.
Breathing – The process of taking air into and expelling it from the lungs. – During exercise, our breathing rate increases to supply more oxygen to our muscles.
Tornado – A mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud. – The meteorologist explained how a tornado forms and why it is important to seek shelter immediately.
Fire – A process of combustion characterized by heat, light, and flame. – Fire can be both beneficial and destructive, as it can clear dead vegetation but also destroy homes.
Insects – Small arthropod animals that have six legs and generally one or two pairs of wings. – Insects play a crucial role in pollinating plants, which is essential for food production.
Water – A transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth’s streams, lakes, and oceans. – Water is vital for all known forms of life, and it covers about 71% of Earth’s surface.
Energy – The strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity. – Solar panels convert sunlight into energy, providing a renewable source of power for homes.
