What do trees, water, laziness and sleep deprivation have in common? It might seem like a random list of things that have no connection whatsoever. But actually, they all fall into the category of dangers that are seemingly harmless.
Water can drown you, trees can fall on you, laziness or a sedentary lifestyle is a slow train to the grave, and sleep deprivation can drive you crazy and/or make you do things that'll have the Grim Reaper coming for you faster than you can count sheep.
Someone recently asked, "What is far more lethal than people realize?" and more than 4,000 answers cam flying in. The long list probably isn't for anyone who already lives in a constant state of paranoia, but it is a helpful reminder that things aren't always as they appear.
Bored Panda has put together a list of the best replies for you to scroll through from the safety of your sofa. So buckle up, keep reading and be safe out there. Don't forget to upvote your favorites!
#1
Water. People don't realize just how powerful fast moving water is and a lot of them pay the price for being over confident.
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36points
#2
Sleep deprivation. It’s treated like a badge of honor, but it's functionally the same as being drunk behind the wheel and destroys your heart and brain long-term.
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35points
#5
Cars. If people understood that they're basically driving around missiles, I think they'd use their indicators more often.
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27points
#6
Food service workers not caring/paying attention.
When I worked at Panera an absolute useless coworker of mine made the mistake of accidentally switching the Hazelnut and Decaf coffee thermals.
Had I not noticed someone who's allergic to nuts, or someone potentially with a heart condition, could have d**d.
I'm sick of people thinking that just because it's not a full service restaurant, or we're not culinary "professionals" (however you define that), we won't k**l people by not paying attention.
When I worked at Panera an absolute useless coworker of mine made the mistake of accidentally switching the Hazelnut and Decaf coffee thermals.
Had I not noticed someone who's allergic to nuts, or someone potentially with a heart condition, could have d**d.
I'm sick of people thinking that just because it's not a full service restaurant, or we're not culinary "professionals" (however you define that), we won't k**l people by not paying attention.
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27points
#8
Seasonal influenza.
Still causes about 500k deaths worldwide annually.
Still causes about 500k deaths worldwide annually.
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27points
#10
Trees… in all the ways; widow makers and storm damage but also cutting trees as a profession.
Also driving tired.
Also driving tired.
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24points
#11
Farm animals.
If Betsy the Cow wants to end you she can if she wants. A horse will absolutely stomp you to death if you startle it wrong. A pissed off pig protecting their brood will absolutely end your curious child that doesn't know how protective even cute animals can be. People see animals and sometimes they just don't know. I once had friend who's girl actually tried to walk up and pet a Moose kept in this fenced area along the side of the highway.
It's like,: *No*. Don't assume a seemingly docile animal is truly docile. We learn and teach our children to no to walk up to random dogs without permission, why should a goat or even a rooster should be any different. One of my core memories as a young child was getting attack by birds because I was messing with them. I'm obviously fine now, but it was only after I got absolutely shook that my grandma told me that friend of hers that's blind in one eye lost to a bird.
So yeah.... farm animals. Anything bigger than a small dog can absolutely ruin your whole week if not your whole life if you just so happen to be unlucky enough.
If Betsy the Cow wants to end you she can if she wants. A horse will absolutely stomp you to death if you startle it wrong. A pissed off pig protecting their brood will absolutely end your curious child that doesn't know how protective even cute animals can be. People see animals and sometimes they just don't know. I once had friend who's girl actually tried to walk up and pet a Moose kept in this fenced area along the side of the highway.
It's like,: *No*. Don't assume a seemingly docile animal is truly docile. We learn and teach our children to no to walk up to random dogs without permission, why should a goat or even a rooster should be any different. One of my core memories as a young child was getting attack by birds because I was messing with them. I'm obviously fine now, but it was only after I got absolutely shook that my grandma told me that friend of hers that's blind in one eye lost to a bird.
So yeah.... farm animals. Anything bigger than a small dog can absolutely ruin your whole week if not your whole life if you just so happen to be unlucky enough.
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24points
#12
Parents raising kids without reaching emotional maturity first.
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22points
#13
Large herbivores. I live only a few hours away from Yellowstone. Every year some foolish tourist gets gored or almost gets gored by a Bison. Do not get to close to the "fluffy cows". Many large herbivores are easily pissed off. For example, more people die because of Hippos or Cape Buffalo every year than lions. Moose are evil. Keep your distance and respect nature, or it will surely disrespect you.
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21points
#14
Birth control. As a guy, I wasn't aware birth control pills created a risk of stroke until last year. I am a guard at a college. I get called to a dorm room for someone having a stroke. I roll my eyes thinking it's another 20 something year old freaking out about what is probably nothing (something that happens multiple times a week), but I respond quickly all the same.
I get there and I am almost speechless. This 20ish year old, whom appeared to be pretty physically fit, is showing all the signs of a serious stroke. Facial drooping, limb weakness on one side, slurred speech. She should not be having a stroke. I immediately get on the radio and tell my dispatcher "this is a confirmed likely stroke, have city EMS step it up."
Long story short, we got her to the ER. That was the fastest I have ever seen EMS load and go. We get an update a day later, she's fine now, no cognitive deficits. So we got to her in time. But that was when I found out stroke is a side effect of the pill.
I get there and I am almost speechless. This 20ish year old, whom appeared to be pretty physically fit, is showing all the signs of a serious stroke. Facial drooping, limb weakness on one side, slurred speech. She should not be having a stroke. I immediately get on the radio and tell my dispatcher "this is a confirmed likely stroke, have city EMS step it up."
Long story short, we got her to the ER. That was the fastest I have ever seen EMS load and go. We get an update a day later, she's fine now, no cognitive deficits. So we got to her in time. But that was when I found out stroke is a side effect of the pill.
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21points
#15
A gun with blank rounds. Never point one of them at yourself or anyone up close you can die from it.
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21points
#16
Blows to the head.
You know how in movies, you always see guys being knocked out with a blow to the back of the head? Maybe it's the hero, taking down guards in a non-lethal way. Maybe it's the bad guy, knocking the hero out with the b**t of a rifle or something.
...Yeah... for the record, if you've been knocked unconscious from blunt force trauma to the head, you've likely suffered a bad concussion, or a minor case of serious brain damage. When James Bond knocks a guy out, drags him to a closet, and leaves him there for hours? That guy isn't going to wake up, be embarrassed about falling asleep in a random place while on the clock, and never tell anyone about it. Left untreated, he's probably going to die.
You know how in movies, you always see guys being knocked out with a blow to the back of the head? Maybe it's the hero, taking down guards in a non-lethal way. Maybe it's the bad guy, knocking the hero out with the b**t of a rifle or something.
...Yeah... for the record, if you've been knocked unconscious from blunt force trauma to the head, you've likely suffered a bad concussion, or a minor case of serious brain damage. When James Bond knocks a guy out, drags him to a closet, and leaves him there for hours? That guy isn't going to wake up, be embarrassed about falling asleep in a random place while on the clock, and never tell anyone about it. Left untreated, he's probably going to die.
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20points
#19
Republican beliefs about economics
Republican beliefs about history
Republican beliefs about international affairs
Republican beliefs about science
Republican beliefs about pretty much everything, really.
Republican beliefs about history
Republican beliefs about international affairs
Republican beliefs about science
Republican beliefs about pretty much everything, really.
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19points
#20
Carbon monoxide poisoning. It's odorless and d***y.
18points