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If a fire breaks out in the house, it is important to keep the room door closed. But why is this a protective measure in case of fire?

People sleep better in fresh air

There are many reasons for leaving the bedroom door ajar at night. The indoor air quality does not drop as quickly when the bedroom door is open. If the window is open at the same time, fresh air can flow through the room.

If the door is closed, however, the air in the bedroom is quickly used up overnight, which can result in headaches.

However, if there is a house or apartment fire, a closed door can save lives. Therefore, always sleep with the room door closed. The closed bedroom door provides better protection against smoke, smoke and gases.

Warnings about sleeping with the room door open

If the door to the bedroom is open in the event of a fire, flames and toxic smoke spread particularly quickly. The flames deprive the room of oxygen and the temperature rises within a very short time.
The fire itself spreads within minutes.

Just a few minutes to leave the house

Due to the highly flammable materials that are often used in the construction of houses and their furniture, there is little time to escape the flames in an emergency.

It is all the more important to prepare. Therefore, when buying furniture, pay attention to flame-retardant material. Smoke detectors* wake up the sleeping person, closed doors ensure a slight delay in the danger – every measure can be crucial to saving yourself and your family.

Smoke detectors are an important protective measure. But in which rooms do you have to attach them and what do you have to consider?

Where do you put smoke detectors?

Smoke detectors must be installed in the children’s rooms, bedrooms and in the corridors that serve as escape routes.

What do you have to look out for with smoke detectors?

Where the smoke detectors are attached is well regulated, but there are also a few things to consider when attaching them:
You should always place the devices in the middle of the room, as the smoke that is produced will always rise and spread to the ceiling. The air collects in the corners and does not disperse, so smoke detectors should under no circumstances be installed in corners.
Furthermore, you should install a smoke detector in every area of ​​larger rooms from 60 square meters so that you can really be warned of the alarm in good time.
When assembling, follow the operating instructions exactly and do not place the devices near air ducts or strong drafts. Even that can be a false alarm
If you want to paint your ceiling, then under no circumstances paint over the smoke detector, as this may mean that not enough smoke can get into the device and the alarm will not be triggered in an emergency.

Finally, it is important to test smoke detectors regularly. There is a test button that only gives an alarm when it is pressed. When you release the button, the alarm stops immediately. It is best to test your devices immediately after installation and then once a year. Then you can go to sleep with peace of mind.

Many people dye their hair gray because it represents advanced age and a lot of stress. But when do you get gray hair and does stress really affect it?

At what age do you get gray hair?

On average, men in Europe start graying at the age of 30. Women only have to adjust to the gray hair color at an average age of 35.

Incidentally, people of African or Asian origin usually get gray hair much later, which studies show is due to their genes. But the genes also play an important role in every individual and can trigger gray hair sooner or later.

Where does gray hair come from?

Once the body runs out of melanin, the hair loses its color. This is a completely normal aging process, which unfortunately cannot be stopped. However, there are other factors that cause hair to turn gray. This includes:
stress
Smoking
hormonal imbalances
Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies
These factors also lead to a lack of melanin, causing the hair to lose its color. Exactly why this is the case is currently being researched and is not yet entirely clear. So gray hair can have different origins, but at some point it always happens.

What role does stress play?

Some clinical studies have found that stress can lead to gray hair. This is because the hair roots react to stress hormones. The production of melanin, the hair dye, suffers as a result. As a result, fewer or no more color pigments are produced

However, the direct connection between gray hair and stress is disputed in science, to go through life more relaxed, but it also makes sense

Can the color be brought back?

In another study, conducted by Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, it was found that stress-related gray hair can actually be restored to its original state. However, the study is not really representative, as only 14 subjects took part. They kept a diary in which their own stress level was recorded. By reducing stress, some subjects also regained their hair color. So there is at least the assumption that stress affects hair color and that hair color can even be regained through a more relaxed life.

You can achieve more relaxation in everyday life primarily through mindfulness exercises and a conscious perception of your surroundings. With short, conscious moments in everyday life you can reduce the stress a lot and thus do something good for your hair.

You can quickly become annoyed in traffic. But honking is not allowed in every situation. If you press the horn too quickly, you may be committing an offence.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a horn or headlight flasher: They are only allowed on these occasions

Flashing the headlights without a good reason always costs 10 euros – whether with or without annoyance. However, if you only behave prudently and only want to warn other road users of a dangerous situation, you don’t have to answer for it either. However, one should not try to educate others with these means. Because this is definitely not allowed.

The situation is different with the sound signals that electric cars emit. Up to a speed of up to 20 km/h or when reversing, these warnings are even expressly permitted by law to avoid danger.

However, anyone who installs a different horn in their vehicle than the one provided by the vehicle manufacturer should bear in mind that multi-tone horns and horns that are too loud are not permitted. When measured at a distance of 7 m, their volume must under no circumstances exceed the limit of 105 dB(A).

Should you not carry your driver’s license with you when driving in order to avoid being checked? This statement by a lawyer causes astonishment.

Curious statement: why a lawyer advises leaving your driver’s license at home

Lawyer Christian Klages uploaded a clip to TikTok in which he says that you should never carry your driver’s license with you, even if it’s actually mandatory. In case of doubt, however, it is better to pay a fine. If you have your driver’s license with you, this can lead to annoying consequences.

If you do not have your driving license with you, it cannot be confiscated. The video by Christian Klages is based on this thesis. This case is supposed to happen much more often than one would think. In particular, the arbitrary confiscation.

What’s behind it?

According to the TikTok lawyer, the police are said to often confiscate driver’s licenses due to unfounded suspicion and on an arbitrary basis. According to Klages, even tired eyes can be enough evidence for the police that you have consumed alcohol or drugs. This initial suspicion should be enough to confiscate the driver’s license.

This one is gone for now. If the tired appearance is even combined with “conspicuous” driving behavior or incorrect blinking, this can have far-reaching consequences. A blood test is requested and the innocence then has to be proven first. However, the results from the laboratory can sometimes take up to three months.

What happens if the driver’s license is confiscated?

During this period, the driver’s license remains with the police. If you are dependent on the car, it is particularly bitter. Although you are not guilty of anything, you face a number of problems.

From this, the lawyer draws the conclusion that it is better to pay a 10-euro fine for not carrying your driver’s license than to run the risk of your driver’s license being confiscated. This statement has caused heated debates and a lot of discussion material.

Wrongly fueled the car – this has happened to many. This mistake can have expensive consequences. What to do now to avoid the worst.

Do this if you misfuel

The engine jerks and makes strange noises when driving? The engine warning light comes on or flashes? These can be signs that you have misfuelled. In such cases, switch off the engine and ignition immediately and notify your workshop or a towing service. Because in the worst case, incorrect refueling can lead to an engine defect and thus to a total loss. It often leads to damage to injectors, filters, fuel lines and pumps.

In order to avoid this fatal damage, it is best to act as early as possible. As soon as you realize you are filling up with the wrong fuel, stop filling the tank immediately. Never turn on the ignition or the engine. In the operating instructions you can read what needs to be done now.

How to intervene depends on which vehicle you drive and what fuel was used. If you’ve run diesel into a petrol engine, you might get lucky. In most cases the tank can be pumped out. Depending on the engine and the amount of wrong fuel, it is also possible to drive on slowly and gradually top up with the correct fuel. Nevertheless, damage to the vehicle can occur.

High costs when there is petrol in the diesel

The situation is different if you have filled up with petrol instead of diesel. If the engine has already been put into operation after incorrect fueling, repairs can cost several thousand euros. Total damage to the pump often occurs. Drivers of older diesel cars may be able to get away with it, a small amount of petrol usually does not harm these vehicles. If you haven’t started the engine yet, pumping it out can help.

Of course it can also happen that you make a mistake within the types of petrol. For example, if you fill up with Super E10 instead of E5, you can fill up the rest of the tank with Super Plus if you only have a small amount. This fuel is particularly low in ethanol, so that a harmless mixture can be prepared initially. But it can also be the case here that the fuel has to be pumped out.

If you don’t notice the mistake in time, it can get quite expensive. The towing service alone costs at least 120 euros. In addition, pumping out and rinsing out the fuel system costs about 150 to 200 euros. If vehicle parts have to be replaced, this can even cost up to 3000 euros. Neither the liability insurance nor the partially or fully comprehensive insurance will pay for your faux pas. You can only get the costs reimbursed if you have a motor vehicle protection letter.

The rules of driving are complex, but not all “rules” really apply. Seven folk myths are debunked below.

Which 7 “rules” do not apply at all?

1. Riding with flip-flops is prohibited
Driving with flip flops is not prohibited. Bussgeldkatalog.org writes that the legislature does not stipulate which shoes must be worn to drive a car. There is no penalty for a traffic stop.

2. You are not allowed to put on make-up while driving
Many will certainly have refreshed some powder at the wheel or put on their lipstick. You don’t have to feel guilty about this either, because a quick touch-up of make-up is fine when driving, as long as there is no danger to other road users.

3. Overtaking on the right is prohibited
The myth that overtaking is not allowed on the right persists, but it is not true. In heavy traffic on the autobahn, you can overtake on the right. Overtaking on the right-hand side is also permitted in built-up areas if there are several lanes for each direction and the lanes are not marked differently.

4. Winter tires must be fitted from October to Easter
Many people believe it is a duty to drive with winter tires from top to bottom. But this regulation only applies to certain situations, not to the season itself. On a dry and sunny day in December you can also drive with summer tires. It is still questionable whether this makes sense – in the event of an accident, this can lead to considerable problems for you.

5. Whoever rears up is to blame
This myth is not true either, because those driving ahead can also be fully or at least partly to blame. This applies in particular if the rear-end collision was provoked by the vehicle ahead, for example by unnecessarily sharp braking.

6. Flashing your headlights on the highway is illegal
The headlight flasher may be used on the Autobahn if someone is driving too slowly in the left lane. If this does not happen continuously, it can be used to signal that you want to overtake.

7. The police must be called after an accident
In the case of minor accidents, it is often not necessary to call the police. It is important to send an accident report to the insurance company, including photos of the accident site and damage. Then you have to clear the street.

dealing with the rules

All seven points are myths that are not true. However, you should always drive with foresight and restraint, which is why the statements should be qualified. In the event of an accident, partial guilt can be proven if wearing flip-flops led to the accident. The same applies to overtaking on the right-hand side: it is possible, but only if the speed is similar on both lanes.

Even if not all rules are legally written, you should still not take it to extremes, because many of them make sense.

Secret codes are not only used by the police – also at Ikea. Codes are often used for announcements, which customers cannot do much with. But what do they actually mean?

These secret codes are very common at IKEA – what do they mean?

In most cases, the meaning of the codes is only temporary: In order to guarantee the security of the codes, it can be assumed that IKEA will periodically renew some of the codes. Nevertheless, the meaning of some codes that appear particularly frequently can be interesting.

With some of the codes you can be pretty sure of the meaning. This includes, for example, the code 89. This is not only used at IKEA, but also in many other department stores: The code expresses that the store is busy and more staff is needed.

Code 88 is about a basic cleaning, maintenance or repair. Also, the meaning of the code 200 is pretty certain. This is also due to the fact that additional skilled workers are required.

The meaning of other mysterious IKEA codes – “Pippi Longstocking” and Co.

However, many of the IKEA codes are only speculative for us and their meaning is not certain. Nevertheless, it can be interesting to take a look at the codes that are common but raise a big question mark for us as buyers.

For example, if “Pippi Longstocking” is mentioned in an announcement, this is code for the need for security personnel. “Lucky Luke” is a code that requests that more registers be manned. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that a code will never remain identical for long. The code 300 is used to notify that there is an injured customer. The code 500 is used in a similar way: This is used to call first aiders in German IKEA stores. If you go to a branch in Switzerland, the code 500 has a different meaning. By naming this code, the Swiss IKEA branches are informed that a caregiver has lost sight of a child in Smaland. Other customers and employees are asked to help with the search.

The code 1000 has a different meaning depending on the number of executions. Simply calling it out suggests that all customers and staff should be on the alert. If the code is called a second time, an evacuation will be prepared. The third time the code “1000” is called, the evacuation is then carried out. How serious the situation really is cannot be predicted: it can be a compulsory exercise, but it can also be a bomb alert or a real danger to life.

If you plan your move properly, you can avoid mistakes and save a lot of time at the same time!

Good planning: Here’s how!

Remember the address changes. These affect banks, insurance companies, but also friends and family. The residents’ registration office and the kindergartens and schools must also be informed and all people who move must be re-registered. In addition, you should plan many things several weeks before the move so that there is no stress later.

If you organize the following things some time before you move, you are guaranteed to be on the safe side and you can move into your new apartment completely relaxed:
Do you need a moving truck? Rent it in good time and find out about the prices.
Get enough moving boxes and packing materials. You can gradually collect newspaper or organize it with friends and family.
Pack a bag with a toothbrush, a change of clothes and deodorant so that you can get to the most important things immediately after the move without having to search.
Organize enough helpers for the moving day early on! It is often difficult to carry the heavy furniture alone or in pairs.
Compare and find out more about moving companies. These can sometimes be very expensive.
Plan enough time for the renovation of your old apartment. Painting, cleaning and handing over the apartment often take a lot of time.

You can avoid these mistakes

In addition to good planning, you can also avoid some mistakes when moving:
Don’t pack too heavy! Many make this mistake. You would like to fill the boxes as full as possible, but then you can hardly lift them or they even break on the ground. Therefore, always pack light and heavy things mixed up in a box and check whether you can still lift it.
Don’t use bags to pack: Bags are often difficult to carry and not really fit much. It is best to pack everything that is possible in boxes.
Do not forget to label: If you do not label the boxes correctly, you will have to spend a lot of time and nerves afterwards to put everything back in the right place. Make it easy for you and your helpers and label everything well, with room information and content. So you always have an overview.
Don’t forget your helpers! A moving day can be long and tiring. Don’t forget to provide your helpers with enough food and drinks. It doesn’t matter whether you order a pizza for everyone or make something yourself.
If you pay attention to these things, you will certainly have a relaxed move without any big surprises! Good planning and organization are the decisive factors.

As a bartender, you deal with many different people every day – and they all want something from you. Some are friendly, others flirt for a drink for free, others get cheeky. What should party guests never say?

10 phrases you shouldn’t say to bartenders

There are so many phrases bartenders hear so often they just can’t take it anymore. If you want to do your bartender a favor, you should better not say the following 10 sentences:

“Put more alcohol in the next drink, okay?” – If you personally don’t feel the alcohol, it may be more your own inhibitions than the bartender. After all, there are usually fixed mixing specifications for every drink.
“Hey dude, cool to see you again.” – Bartenders tend to see so many people on a daily basis that they probably won’t remember you.
“Man, when I was still waiting tables, I could do it faster.” – You can really offend someone with such sentences. In the end, you may be the one to suffer. Sometimes there is just a lot going on and everyone tries to do their best. Appreciation and a “thank you” can usually do much more than being annoyed.
“I drink the same as you.”- This statement is based on the cliché that every bartender also drinks alcohol in the evening. But this is not the case: not everyone who works with alcohol automatically drinks some.
“Hey, it’s my birthday. Are you buying one?” Bartenders hear this phrase so often that it’s usually never true. After all, everyone can say what they want.
“Tell me, can’t you swap out the DJ?” – The bartender usually has nothing to do with the DJ; consequently, he or she usually cannot change anything about the music in the bar.
“Hey bartender, can you actually smile?” – bartenders are often under stress or can sometimes be annoyed by the people in front of the bar. So it’s completely understandable that he doesn’t always have a smile on his face.
“Will you give me your number?” – Bartenders are generally not interested in exchanging numbers with customers. They just want to do their job – and you should respect that.
“I would have liked to have shaken my drink, not stirred it.” Often customers don’t even know the difference. In many cases they only know one drink and only make the statement to appear intelligent.
“Hey, can you store my jacket here for a moment?” – The bartender is not responsible for checking clothes. His job is to mix the drinks, not act as a cloakroom.

Instead of these 10 sentences, you can put a smile on the face of many a bartender or make the stressful job easier if you are friendly, show understanding and sometimes say “thank you”. This makes partying fun on both sides of the bar.