10 Things Deadlier Than Sharks
Ok, we get it — sharks are rather frightening if you don’t know much about them. It all started back in 1975 when the first-ever blockbuster film JAWS debuted; people saw razor-sharp teeth munching on the beach, and the unsure feeling that something was lurking beneath stuck forever in their brains. Sharks quickly became a national symbol of fear. But what if we told you sharks aren’t as harmful as you may think; that we actually do much more harm to them than they do to us?
Here’s the graphic realization, folks: For every human killed by a shark, humans kill 200 million sharks.
Luckily there are conservation efforts out there, such as Project AWARE and Shark Angels that do everything in their power to stop the decreasing shark population and get the message out there: sharks need saving, too. How would you feel if a popular movie portrayed you as a monster killer? In reality, there are only an average of five shark-related deaths per year.
Here’s a gallery of some everyday items that actually kill more people per year than sharks. In fact, we guarantee there’s a good chunk of them in your home. Some of them may shock you, some may scare you, but hopefully they get you thinking. You’ll see: sharks aren’t so deadly after all.
Some sharks are so awesome, they've even been known to come when called — well sort of. See for yourself:
Ok, we get it — sharks are rather frightening if you don’t know much about them. Much of it started back in 1975 when the first-ever blockbuster film JAWS debuted. Sharks quickly became a national symbol of fear. But what if we told you sharks aren’t as harmful as you may think; that we actually do much more harm to them than they do to us?
Here’s the reality, folks: For every human killed by a shark, humans kill 200 million sharks.
ShutterstockYou see the fin coming, and it's a mad dash to the shore — but are sharks really that deadly?
Luckily there are conservation efforts out there that do everything in their power to stop the decreasing shark population and get the message out there: sharks need saving, too. How would you feel if a popular movie portrayed you as a monster killer? In reality, there are only an average of five unprovoked shark-attack deaths per year.
Here’s a gallery of some everyday items that actually kill more people per year than sharks. In fact, we guarantee there’s a good chunk of them in your home. Some of them may shock you, some may scare you, but hopefully they get you thinking. You’ll see: sharks aren’t so deadly after all.
Selfie Sticks & Taking Selfies
ShutterstockTaking selfies
This one could also be called “plain stupidity,” but we’ll give it this — we’ve all been in the frustrating moment where you want — no, NEED — the perfect selfie. But trying so hard for said photo has been known to kill (literally). A statement from Disney confirms selfie sticks have been banned from its parks for people “selfie-ing” on high-speed roller coasters, causing the sticks to shed hazardous debris that have inflicted head injuries. Sharks killed eight people in 2015; selfies killed 12.
Escalators
ShutterstockEscalators
Everyone’s mom warned them not to play on an escalator: The landing platform can get any clothing material or body part stuck in its unforgiving teeth. These machines can be dangerous (10,000 emergency room injuries per year, 10 shark attacks per year), yet we ride them like it’s no big deal.
Hot Dogs
ShutterstockHot Dogs
Hot dogs, you say?! You better believe it; your favorite ball-park lunch has a hidden agenda. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 77 children each year choke to death in an effort to consume hot dogs.
Toilets
ShutterstockToilets
Everybody goes ... but your daily business may be deadly. Before you think back to nightmares of being sucked down the toilet and swear from now on to go outside, most toilet deaths occur from falling off the toilet or young children drowning. Elvis died on the toilet, for goodness sake! The precious porcelain throne claims 42 lives annually.
Hippos
ShutterstockHippos
Cute, cuddly looking hippos are actual territorial grouches. Get too close and these 3,000-pound mammals will gnaw you in half. Even the South African farmer who claimed to tame hippos was found murdered by his pet Humphrey in 2011. Hippos take 2,900 lives annually. Maybe next time you’ll give that safari tour a second thought.
Vending Machines
ShutterstockVending Machines
It’s just a little snack, right? Each year vending machines topple over and crush 13 people. There’s a reason they tell you not to shake the machine.
Sinks
ShutterstockSinks
According to Health US News, manufactures set water heater standards below a safe 120 degrees F, but last year 700 homes were found with tap water well over 150 degrees. This temperature is hot enough to severely burn skin, killing on average 100 people per year.
Your bed
ShutterstockYour bed
We all need beauty sleep, but who knew your cozy resting place could take your life? While most are either very young or very old, 450 people die from falling out of bed annually.
Coconuts
ShutterstockCoconuts
This island delicacy has a dark side, and it includes falling from its tree and killing 150 people per year (probably while they’re on the beach watching for sharks ... Just kidding, we love you beach goers!).
Champagne Corks
ShutterstockChampagne Corks
Surprisingly, popping open a bottle of bubbly actually causes 24 deaths per year. Not surprisingly, one-third of these accidents occur at weddings. Watch where you’re aiming — nobody wants a flying cork to the face on their big day.
ShutterstockSo you see, sharks are just a bit misunderstood. They are insanely powerful and beautiful creatures that deserve more than ignorance. Now that we've moved on from slamming sharks, let's have a word with those coconuts — those good-for-nothing head-cracking killers!