How Bad Is It…To store

...to use the same loofah over and over again?

Do so and you may be lathering more than just body wash onto your skin. While those spongy poufs make great exfoliators, they also make a cozy home for bacteria, says Heidi Waldorf, M.D., director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. The problem, says Dr. Waldorf, is that loofahs never completely dry out— and a wet environment attracts bacteria. When the bacteria interact with your skin, it can lead to bumpy, uncomfortable infections, such as folliculitis and impetigo. To keep your skin looking its best, use a synthetic loofah, and machine-wash it weekly in a hot-water cycle. If you prefer a natural loofah, spring for a new one each month. really bad!

...to cut down overhanging branches from a neighbor’s tree?

Don’t rev up that chain saw just yet. First check with a local attorney specializing in property law, since restrictions on how to handle this type of issue vary by state. “People think they have a right to cut branches that encroach on their property, but that’s not the law,” says Barri Kaplan Bonapart, an attorney in California and author of Understanding Tree Law. Try chatting with your neighbor to hash out the problem. If that doesn’t work, have a licensed, bonded, and insured tree-care company assess the situation, then inform your neighbor of your plan. Just take care not to trespass on your neighbor’s property or damage the tree, which could lead to a several-thousand-dollar fne. super bad!

...to swim right after eating?

In some cases it’s worth waiting 30 minutes after chowing down. If you have a heavy meal before engaging in a particularly vigorous swim, you could end up with stomach cramps, nausea, or acid refux, says Roshini Raj, M.D., a gastroenterologist and clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine. “You’re most likely to feel uncomfortable if the food is high in fat or protein, like a hero sandwich with chips, because those take longer to digest,” she says. But if you’ve had only a light snack—say a granola bar or a piece of fruit—you’re in the clear. Dive right in! not bad at all! pretty bad!

(if you’ve had a light snack) (if you’ve had a heavy meal)

Leave me beeee or I might sting you!

...to swat at a bee?

Keep your hands to yourself. While a bee would rather fy away from you than attack you, that can change if you swat at it, says Robbin Thorp, Ph.D., professor emeritus of entomology at the University of California, Davis. It’s possible a bee would see this as a threat and defend itself by stinging you. To save yourself the pain, says Thorp, calmly walk away or take shelter from any bee that gets too close for comfort. You know, buzz of. really bad!

...to take a shower during a thunderstorm?

Shocker: You actually can get struck by lightning in the shower. It’s incredibly rare—struckbylightning .org, a nonproft that keeps track of lightning strikes, lists just nine incidents since 2004—but if a bolt of lightning strikes your house, the resulting surge of electricity will most likely follow either the plumbing or the wiring to the ground. If it takes the plumbing path, the voltage can jump from your showerhead to you, says John Jensenius, lightning safety specialist for the National Weather Service. That could lead to a painful jolt or, worstcase scenario, stop your heart. So wait until the storm has passed to bathe, and avoid other watery activities like washing dishes. super bad!

...to leave the AC on while you’re away for the weekend?

It depends how you feel about wasting money. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American household spends $240 per year on home cooling. So turning the air conditioner of for 48 hours (or more) can save a few bucks. To keep your pad from broiling while you’re gone, close the blinds and curtains, suggests Meg Waltner, manager for building energy policy for the Natural Resources Defense Council. If you don’t want to shut the AC of completely, crank up the temp by seven degrees or more. “That will save energy—and you won’t be sweating when you return home,” says Waltner. pretty bad!