Mental Floss

HEALTH

We hope he checked the water quality.

Swimming in lakes (or any wild water) has its risks. When in doubt, check local advisories and trust your senses. And if the water looks or smells off, you might have better luck sticking to land.

Sam Hindman














Mold is the last thing you want to see after cracking open one of these.

You might never expect to see mold growing inside a fireproof safe, but it can happen. Here’s how to prevent it, plus how to properly clean it so your valuables don’t get destroyed.

Rudie Obias








A supermarket poultry case containing packages of raw chicken.

Salmonella, norovirus, and other germs are often found in raw poultry and fresh produce—and can find their way into your digestive system. Here’s what to know about the symptoms and treatments for food poisoning.

Jake Rossen


An American Huey helicopter sprays Agent Orange over Vietnam.

In a mission code-named Operation Ranch Hand, the U.S. military unleashed millions of gallons of the toxic defoliant during the Vietnam War—and some descendants of Vietnam veterans say they’re still paying the price.

Nick Keppler