Stay safe!

Everybody should know what these 10 safety signs mean

Image: Joe Dudeck

Safety signs are more than just colorful symbols; they’re designed to keep us out of harm’s way. These standardized signs warn us about potential dangers, inform us of safety requirements, and guide our actions to prevent accidents. For instance, the bright red of a "No Smoking" sign or the bold green of an "Emergency Exit" sign are instantly recognizable, no matter where you are. Let's explore 10 of the most common safety signs and what they mean.

Image: John Matychuk

Stop signs are the iconic red octagons that demand your attention and signal you to come to a complete halt. They are among the most universally recognized traffic signs, with a simple yet powerful message: "Stop."

You’ll find them on the busiest streets and the quiet ones because accidents don’t care about these kinds of things. These signs ensure that drivers pause, look both ways, and proceed with caution.

The bright red color and bold white lettering make them hard to miss, and for a good reason: They’re all about keeping everyone safe on the roads. When you see this sign, it’s not just a suggestion; it’s a rule you must follow to help prevent accidents and keep traffic flowing smoothly.

Image: Frans van Heerden

The color yellow was chosen for a reason: it’s friendlier than red, but bright enough to grab everyone’s attention. Warning signs are like a tap on the shoulder, they let us know that danger might be close. These signs are usually yellow with a black triangle and an exclamation mark or other relevant symbol.

They’re designed to catch your attention and make you aware of potential hazards such as slippery floors, sharp objects, or electrical risks. Keep your head up, because when you see that yellow triangle, it’s time to stay sharp and proceed with caution.

Image: Kristaps Solims

No smoking signs are a clear and concise way of saying, "Put that cigarette out!" These signs typically feature a red circle with a diagonal line crossing over a cigarette, indicating areas where smoking is prohibited.

Whether it’s due to fire hazards, health regulations, or simply a courtesy, these signs are found in a wide range of places, from public buildings to airplanes.

They help keep environments clean, safe, and smoke-free. When you see this sign, it’s time to step outside before lighting up.

Image: Mahdi Mahmoodi

Even though they are called "emergency exit" signs, they are useful in more scenarios than just emergencies.

The exit signs are the beacons of safety in a crisis, they guide you to the nearest route out which is (or should be) specifically designed and built to make a quick escape.

These signs are usually green with a white running figure or an arrow pointing to the exit. In the event of an emergency, these signs help ensure a quick and orderly evacuation. They’re often illuminated to remain visible even in low light or smoke-filled conditions. In case of emergency, always remember to keep calm and follow the green light!

Image: milan degraeve

All the signs on this list keep us safe and, if it comes to it, can save our lives. But this one is specifically designed to do the latter.

First aid signs are reassuring symbols that indicate help is nearby. These signs are usually green with a white cross or other medical symbols, indicating the location of first aid supplies or assistance. In it, you might find a first aid kit, a defibrillator, or a medical station.

The ultimate goal of these signs is to ensure you know where to go in case of injury. It’s all about peace of mind, knowing that help is available when you need it most.

Image: David Birozy

These are the kinds of signs that make you wonder: What was it that made it necessary for people to create this sign? We’ll always wonder, but in any case, we thank the warning!

Explosive signs are high-energy warnings, they feature a yellow background with a black explosion symbol, indicating that the area contains explosive materials or risks.

You’ll find this sign in various locations, and the "explosive" might refer to fireworks, chemicals, ammunition, and more. Essentially, they simply prevent us from making small mistakes that could lead to significant damage.

The message is loud and clear: handle with extreme caution and follow all safety protocols. When you see this sign, it's time to tread lightly and keep things calm.

Image: Piotr Chrobot

We hope you never need to use one, but these signs can save lives, so keep an eye out for this one. In this case, it’s not only the sign that is universal; fire extinguishers are too.

Fire extinguisher signs are your go-to guides when it’s time to put out a fire. These signs are typically red with a white fire extinguisher icon, showing you exactly where to find this essential safety tool.

In an emergency, these signs help you act quickly to douse the flames before they spread. It’s all about knowing your resources and being ready to spring into action. When you spot one of these signs, it’s good to make a mental note: knowing the location of the extinguisher can make all the difference.

Image: Bernd 📷 Dittrich

Although not commonly found, if you come across one of these signs, you might want to head the other way.

This triangle-shaped sign is the biohazard symbol, and it warns people about the presence of dangerous biological materials. Typically orange or yellow with a black symbol that looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, these signs indicate the presence of hazardous materials like viruses, bacteria, or other biohazards that could cause infection or disease.

It’s a clear warning to stay away unless you’re properly equipped. These signs are a serious reminder that some things are better left untouched.

Image: Timo Müller

Speaking of things that are better left untouched, here’s another one for you: high-voltage signs.

The message is crystal clear: there is an electrical hazard in the area and the damages caused by not following the rules could be fatal.

These signs usually feature a yellow background with a black lightning bolt, signaling that the area is charged with dangerous levels of electricity. They’re commonly found near power lines, electrical equipment, and machinery. So, if you see one, keep your distance and respect the power of electricity. One wrong move near these signs, and you could be in for a shocking experience!

Image: Kilian Karger

Unless you live near certain areas, you’ve probably never seen one of these. All the more reason to learn what it means and how to respond if you encounter such a sign.

Radioactive signs are the ultimate danger warnings, signaling the presence of materials that emit harmful radiation.

Typically yellow with a black trefoil symbol, these signs are instantly recognizable. They warn you of the risks associated with radiation exposure, whether it’s in a medical, industrial, or research setting.

The sign’s message is clear: this is not an area to linger in. Proper protective gear and procedures are a must when dealing with anything radioactive. Or better still, just avoid it altogether!

Stick to the beat

"Every breath you take" and 12 other songs that can save lives

When someone needs CPR, rhythm matters. A steady beat between 100 and 120 BPM (beats per minute) helps keep compressions at the right pace. Many people remember that the Bee Gees’ hit "Stayin’ Alive" is one of those anthems that lives in that sweet BPM spot. But here is a list of 11 songs that are iconic, catchy, and, yes, can help save a life.

This is the CPR anthem for a reason. Not only does the beat sit perfectly in the recommended range per the American Heart Association (100-120 bpm), but the song actually became part of CPR training after doctors realized its tempo matched ideal compressions per minute.

Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb wrote "Stayin' Alive" in a matter of days. The song was written in 1977 specifically for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, and the Bee Gees wrote a total of four tracks for the film. It hit number one around the world and has never really left. But its second life as a CPR tool may be its greatest legacy.

This 80s anthem became one of the most played songs in radio history. Its minimalist guitar pattern and calm, deliberate tempo make it especially easy to follow during CPR; steady, predictable, unhurried.

Author Sting, who composed it while on holiday in Jamaica in 1982, says that he woke up one night with the first three lines in his mind and sat down at the piano to write it; half an hour later, the best-selling single of 1983 was finished. It has been called "the most played song in radio history."

"Respect" was written and originally recorded by Otis Redding, released in 1965 as a single.

When Aretha Franklin reimagined it, she showed up at the New York studio with the arrangement worked out in her head, including the iconic spelling of R-E-S-P-E-C-T, which she developed with her sisters Carolyn and Erma.

When her version was released in 1967, it was a statement of independence. It topped the Billboard charts and won Franklin two Grammy Awards. But perhaps its biggest pride was being ranked number one in the 2021 Rolling Stone list of "Greatest Songs of All Time."

A beat that can save lives, or at the very least have everyone nodding along. Bassist John Deacon came up with that iconic bass line after getting inspired by funk and disco, especially the band Chic’s "Good Times." The groove was so good that Michael Jackson approached Queen and said to them, "You guys are mad if you don't release it as a single." The band wasn’t convinced, but followed the advice.

Michael Jackson was right. The song became Queen's best-selling single, with sales of over 7 million copies, and stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for almost a year. Silvester Stallone, creator and star of Rocky, wanted to use the song in the first installment of the boxer’s movie. The band declined, and he turned to Survivor, who created "Eye of the Tiger."

When Gloria Gaynor recorded this anthem, she was wearing a back brace from her hips to her underarms. She had suffered a serious fall on stage in New York, had undergone spinal surgery, and was recovering.

But producers Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris insisted that this new song be recorded. It was released in 1978 and quickly became people’s favorite. Gaynor later said that when she sang "I will survive," she was thinking about surviving her surgery. This song is a universal anthem of resilience and empowerment; It’s only proper that we should remember that it can help others survive, too!

In 1982, Queen rejected Sylvester Stallone’s request to use "Another One Bites the Dust" for Rocky III. So the star called Survivor’s songwriters Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan, who sat down to record a demo for him.

Stallone liked the demo very much that he used that very version in the film, without waiting for the studio re-recording. This song is now synonymous with motivation and dedication. That punchy opening guitar riff is one of the most famous intros in rock.

Michael Jackson didn't write this one. It was written by singer Siedah Garrett and composer Glen Ballard, after Quincy Jones invited a group of songwriters to his home and told them simply: "I just want hits."

It peaked at No. 1 in 1988 and remains one of Jackson’s most socially conscious recordings. The slow and steady tempo is right at the bottom of CPR’s rhythm sweet spot.

You can dance, you can jive… And, yes, you can use it to keep your tempo. ABBA’s only No. 1 hit in the United States, and arguably the happiest three minutes in ’70s pop. The group reportedly knew it was special the moment they recorded it.

"Dancing Queen" was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who originally titled it "Boogaloo." ABBA performed the song in 1976 in a televised gala celebrating the wedding of the Swedish King and Queen, the night before their actual wedding. It very quickly became the group’s biggest international hit.

Fun fact: this was originally written by a Philadelphia musician named Robert Hazard in 1979. So, it was sung from a male perspective, explaining to his parents why girls just wanted to have fun.

When producers brought the song to Cindy Lauper, however, she found the original lyrics unacceptable: she agreed to rewrite it into a feminist party anthem. The result became one of the defining songs of the 1980s. Today, Cindy Lauper’s classic is high-energy, bright, and reliable, another well-known song to give CPR to, right at the top of the ideal range at 120 BPM.

This song was born as a direct response to Neil Young's songs "Southern Man" and "Alabama," which Ronnie Van Zant felt unfairly painted the entire South as racist. It was published in 1974 and became the band’s highest-charting single. Young later said that he respected the shot the band had thrown at him, because he later found his own song "Alabama" condescending and accusatory.

Through the years, "Sweet Home Alabama" became a stadium staple, a movie soundtrack regular, and a symbol of classic Southern rock. Plus, now you know that that strong mid-tempo groove is a CPR metronome in disguise.

Craig Reid, who wrote the song in the 80s, said about it, "I knew it was a good song, maybe even a single, but I had no idea how popular it would become." For some years, it had modest success in the UK. Then, it appeared on the soundtrack of the 1993 Johnny Depp film Benny & Joon, which skyrocketed its fame.

The march-like beat at 116 BPM is practically designed to keep you on pace, which, when you're performing CPR, is exactly what you need.