The 15 Most Common Accidental Deaths

Friday, October 4, 2013

#15. Falling Objects

Be careful where you stand because falling objects can come out of nowhere. Not only are you at risk of being struck by a falling object but you also have to worry about inanimate objects being thrown at you. The death toll is somewhere between 30 to 50 people per year that die from being struck by an object that was either thrown at them or fell on them.

Maybe your irrational fear of getting crushed by a piano isn't so irrational after all. This type of death is pretty hard to avoid because falling objects are sort of a surprise. We would tell you to wear some sort of protective gear but even hockey pads with a motorcycle helmet wouldn't do you any good if a piano does suddenly fall from the sky.




#14. Drowning


Having a contest to see how long you can hold your breath might be a lot of fun but don't hold it too long as it could be very dangerous. You would be surprised at how many adults don't know how to swim.Drowning causes almost 4,500 accidental deaths a year.

Death by drowning could happen anywhere whether it be a bathtub, a pool or the beach. Don't be afraid to wear a life jacket and make sure your kids wear some sort of floatation device when they swim. This stuff may not look cool but it could save your life.




#13. Alcohol Poisoning

When you hang out and party with friends there's always alcohol around. Most people know their limit but some people take it too far to the point where they get alcohol poisoning. About 50,000 people visit the hospital every year due to alcohol poisoning and about 50 of them have died because of it. Many people who were lucky enough to live through it have permanent brain damage.




#12. Roller Coaster

Roller coasters are one of the things everyone looks forward to when they visit an amusement park. They can be a bit scary anyway so the last thing you want to hear is that your ride could be fatal. Although you aren't likely to die on a roller coaster it does happen. Roller coasters typically claim up to 4 lives every year.

The odds that one of those lives is going to be yours are pretty small but you may only want to ride your favorite roller coaster at the amusement park once instead of several times. If you're really scared you could always go the extra mile and wear a helmet. It's ok we won't make fun of you.




#11. Diving

You know those signs that are posted around pools that discourage you from diving? It might be time for you to stop ignoring them. About 6,700 people a year are hospitalized due to diving accidents and some of them even lost their lives.

Diving head first in a pool where the water is too shallow can cause you to break your neck and die instantly. Above ground pools are the worst pools to attempt to dive head first so don't worry about trying to impress anyone. Just remember diving in to an empty pool will definitely kill you so at the very least make sure the thing has water in it.




#10. Electrocution

It is estimated that about 400 people die every year due to electrocution. These deaths aren't reserved for electricians either. There are plenty of items around your house that could cause you get electrocuted.

First of all if you aren't a professional electrician don't try to wire something because you are only putting yourself at risk. Make sure to always be extra careful when plugging or unplugging electrical appliances or replacing a light bulb. Don't let your pride get in the way when it comes to electricity. If you don't know how to handle something electrical then find someone who does.




#9. Machinery

Machinery is a lot more dangerous than you think. We're not just talking about saws, drills and other tools. We're talking about toy machines, vending machines and exercise machines too. Machinery of all different kinds claims up to 350 lives a year.

Next time you think about stuffing your arm in that vending machine to get a soda you better think again. If your arm gets stuck and the vending machine falls it's going to be lights out and you wont even get to drink that soda. Totally not worth it.




#8. Medical Malpractice

This one is not very obvious but perhaps the scariest of all. Up to 500 people die every year from something going wrong during surgery or other forms of medical mishaps. Told you it was scary didn't we?

No matter how good your doctor is you are always at risk any time you go under the knife. The best thing that you can do is pick someone you trust and do your research. This one is truly out of your hands because you are putting your life in to the hands of someone else.




#7. Poison Gas

You wouldn't believe how easy it is to lose your life due to inhaling poisonous gasses. These gases include things like fuel, natural gas and propane. Death by poisonous gas claims up to 700 lives each year.

Be sure to turn off any appliances in your house that use gas when you aren't using them. Don't forget to keep aerosol sprays and gas tanks out of reach of small children. If you own a garage make sure to never leave the car running when it is stored in a closed garage.




#6. Firearms

Gun laws have been a very hot topic over the past few years. Guns cause deaths every day and it's just as tragic when those deaths are accidental. Accidental gun deaths claim 1,500 lives per year.

If you are a gun owner an accident can be avoided if you take the necessary precautions. Keep your guns in a safe and make sure that only you have access to the key. Also don't be afraid to put gunlocks on your guns so that if someone does get in to the safe somehow they still won't be able to fire them.




#5. Suffocation

Suffocation certainly isn't something you think about everyday but it is possible it could happen to you. There are many different causes of suffocation such as asphyxiation, smothering, and even how you sleep plays a factor. Believe it or not accidental suffocation claims up to 3,300 deaths per year.

Make sure that you or your child's face is never covered when you sleep and that they are never at risk of being smothered. Always cut your food into small portions so that you don't choke and keep objects like rope or even something simple like a tie that could cause strangulation out of reach. Don't forget to keep a good airflow in your home as airtight spaces also cause suffocation.




#4. Fires


Fire is a very destructive force. One second you could be sleeping and then the next you wake up to your house burning down around you. Losing your house is one thing but losing your life is much worse and fires claim up to 3,700 lives a year.

Some fires are complete freak accidents but other fires can be prevented if you are careful. If you are a smoker be responsible about where you smoke and if you have lighters around the house keep them away from kids. If your house burns down you can get your possessions back but when your life is gone it's gone forever.




#3. Poisonous Solids or Liquids

You might not ever think of it but you have many poisonous materials in your household. Whether it be medication, cleaning materials or other chemicals you have a potential safety hazard somewhere. Everyone is at risk so make sure to store these things responsibly.

Children are at a much higher risk than adults. To adults a cleaning solution or medicine doesn't look attractive but a child may get confused and think something of that sort may taste good because it's colorful. Make sure to put any potential poisons out of reach of children.




#2. Motor Vehicle Accidents

If you've ever been in a car the chances are pretty high that you've been in an accident before. Motor vehicle accidents aren't fun and they can sometimes be fatal. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of accidental death claiming over 43,000 lives a year.

We know that they are sometimes uncomfortable but don't be afraid to wear your seatbelt. If you ride a motorcycle be sure to wear a helmet. No matter how careful you are there are too many reckless drivers out there for you not to play it safe.




#1. Falls

Falling is a very common cause of accidental death. It is so common that it manages to claim almost 15,000 lives per year. Do you still think hiking Mt. Everest sounds like fun for a weekend activity?

A fatal fall can occur anywhere whether it be inside your house, in the woods, or out in public. Be careful when you stand on ladders, ledges or even while riding a bike and don't be afraid to bail when your friends try to pressure you in to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. It's ok you can blame us and tell them we told you not to do it.












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