The risky activities that many people attempt - such as skydiving or even bungee jumping -- may not be as dangerous as the more mundane tasks they attempt every day, such as climbing a ladder to clean the gutters.
Former Green Bay Packer Max McGee, the unexpected hero of the very first Super Bowl, lived dangerously as an NFL wide receiver, going over the middle to catch a pass, hitting linemen twice his size and playing through injuries.
But it was an activity that millions of people perform every year that caused his untimely death. In October 2007, McGee fell while blowing leaves from his roof and was killed.
Ken Hendricks, 66, the founder of ABC Supply, the company ranked first on INC magazine's 500 top small companies, fell from his roof last December while the roof was still under construction and was killed.
Every day, people are fascinated by daredevils - either the tricked-out stunts of the late Evel Knievel or now his son, Robbie, or the lame-brained antics of Johnny Knoxville and his brainless band from Jackass fame. Yet government statistics show that it is the everyday activity - from climbing a ladder to getting out of bed - that causes an inordinate amount of deaths and are where the true risks lie.
In fact, accidents were responsible for more than 110,000 deaths last year in the U.S., with men accounting for more than 70 percent of accidental deaths, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
“Dangerous activities like skydiving are responsible for comparative few deaths because so few people actually jump out of a plane on a regular basis and the participants are obviously very safety-oriented,” says Occupational Safety Expert Joshua Throne. “By contrast, most people underestimate where danger lies. For example, more people die around the U.S. from eating bad food such as tainted meat - more than 3,300 -- than from shark attacks in the world - 40.”
There's No Unsafe Place Like Home
In fact, more people die from activities around the home than any so-called dangerous leisure pursuits, such as skiing, mountain climbing, white-water rafting or even street luging.
In 2006, more than 60 people died in the U.S. from either falling from ladders or roofs. Throw in deaths from chainsaws and power tools in the home and the number tops 100 annually.
“Even your hand orientation affects death rates,” says Throne. “Every year, more 2,500 left-handed people are killed around the world just from using equipment and tools designed for right-handed people, such as power saws.”
Thrown For A Loop Or Two
Ever worry about that triple-loop roller coaster that clocks 100 MPH and pulls three Gs while you travel upside down with just a bar to hold you in your seat? Don't. Roller coaster rides have accounted for less than 10 deaths in the last decade.
In fact, more people die from falling out of bed - mostly, the very young and very old - than on roller coasters, according to the BLS.
“Any activity, no matter how seemingly harmless can be dangerous if not performed safely,” says Safety Communications Professional Jacqueline Fajt. “There are many white-knuckled fliers who panic at the thought of a plane crash. Yet commercial airplane crashes around the world are rare and deaths are uncommon.”
“However, people don't worry about their safety at work every day,” Fajt adds, “but last year, there were 5,703 fatalies in the U.S. workplace, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”
Safety is No Accident
What recommendations do safety experts give to reduce the change of injury or even death for those everyday tasks? Here are the five top recommendations:
- Don't use a ladder until you have someone spotting you at the base of the ladder
- Leave the roofing and gutter cleaning to the experts who are paid to work safely and are accustomed to working at such heights
- Use tools and equipment designed only for you. For example, there are pruning shears, pocket knives and even power saws designed for left-handed people. Also, children should not use adult tools because of the weight differences.
- Shut off the power before performing any electrical work. Better yet, hire a licensed electrician.
- Never trust a jack alone to hold up your car while you crawl underneath for a brake pad job or oil change. Always use a pair of support stands positioned underneath your car to keep it from falling on you. Do not use blocks of wood, boxes, or bricks for supports because these may slip or collapse and allow the vehicle to fall.
What is the one of the most dangerous activities for people in U.S. Sunbelt areas, including California, Florida and Hawaii?
Apparently, walking under coconut trees, according to a report in The Daily Mirror. That's right, those gorgeous tropical trees that sway so gracefully in a warm breeze apparently kill around 150 people every year around the world. Falling from a height of 80 feet, the coconuts can build up an impact speed of 50 mph.
Start looking up.
than sorry..............