Know the Stats and put your Fears in Check

We are all, consciously or subconsciously, afraid of something. While some people have very specific, individualized fears, there are some events and/or things that are known to invoke fear and/or anxiety amongst the masses. Each year the National Safety Council puts together a chart, ‘Odds of Dying’, which outlines your odds of dying based on cause. Below are common fears, along with your chance of dying as a result of that item/event.

Are you afraid of lightening?

Your chances of dying as a result of a lightning strike is 1 in 161,856

Are you afraid of hornets/bees/wasps?

Your chances of dying as a result of any of these three? 1 in 63,225

Afraid of flying?

Your chance of dying in an airplane crash is 1 in 9,821

And finally, are you afraid of water?

Your chance of dying as a result of an unintentional drowning and submersion is 1 in 1,188

Now, let’s take a look at what we’re not afraid of.

Are you afraid of taking a stroll down the sidewalk? Many people would answer ‘no’ to this question. But, the chance of being killed as a pedestrian is 1 in 647. According to the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one pedestrian is killed every 1.6 hours. Sadly, children account for a high percentage of pedestrian deaths.

So what can you do to keep yourself safe as a pedestrian? Walk distraction free, wear bright clothing, obey traffic signals, and always cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections if possible.

Are you afraid of falling down? Many of us don’t consider the implications of a fall down accident until after it’s happened. Your chance of being killed in a fall down accident is 1 in 127. According to the CDC, one out of five falls causes a serious injury, such as a broken bone or head injury. There are certain conditions that make you more likely to fall, such as icy walkways, broken or poorly maintained sidewalks, and unsafe premises.

Are you afraid of getting behind the wheel? This is where the stats become alarming. Your chance of being killed in a motor vehicle crash is 1 in 114.  There are a number of factors that contribute to the high number of motor vehicle crash deaths, including speeding, distraction, and driver impairment. While we cannot control the actions of others, we can as individuals commit to making safety a priority behind the wheel. Here’s some resources you may find helpful:

  • An Introduction to Distraction, You May Be Surprised to Find You Are Actually a Distracted Driver
  • Tired Behind the Wheel, How Dangerous is Drowsy Driving?
  • Parents of Teen Drivers: ‘You’re Not Worried Nearly Enough’

If you or a loved one died or was seriously injured at no fault of your own, contact us today.