Sometimes fate has just decided that it is your time to go – such as when a rock or tree falls on your car when you drive along a pass or you escape from the World Trade Centre only to be killed six weeks later in an aeroplane crash.

Advertisement

Some things are obvious and come naturally to people, such as checking the traffic before crossing the road and not picking up hitchhikers next to the N1. But there are lots of things, which many people do every day without thinking, that could kill them or those around them.

Dangerous things no one should ever do

• Eating food from a bulging or rusted can. Read more: Food poisoning.
• Leaving an old fridge lying about in the backyard, especially if there are small kids in the neighbourhood.
• Driving when you have had one too many. Read more: Are you over the legal limit?
• Fetching food or water for strangers and not closing the door behind you. Read more: Things that could save your life
• Not having a spare tyre in your car.
• Going out on a boat that does not have enough life jackets for everyone on board.
• Deciding not to fence the pool in your backyard.
• Standing up straight when travelling on the back of a bakkie.
• Sitting in the passenger seat of the car holding a toddler on your lap. Read more: Best buckle up for kids
• Having electric cords run under carpets or across doorways.
• Getting out of your car at home or in a parking lot without checking to see who is in the area.
• Swimming in the sea when you have had one too many.
• Using an ATM in a dodgy area late at night.
• Leaving your back door open without locking the security gate.
• Letting your kids play with marbles or giving them sweets that could stick in their throats.
• Employing people off the street without checking references or identification.
• Not keeping guns locked in a safe and unloaded.
• Having sex with a new partner without using a condom. Read more: Safer Sex
• Deciding that armed response and a portable panic button are too expensive to have installed.
• ‘Saving’ money by not having a decent hospital plan. Read more: Choosing a medical scheme
• Driving with worn tyres and not regularly checking your brakes.
• Not leaving a violent partner, because he/she apologises and promises to change. Read more: How to leave an abusive partner
• Drawing large amounts of cash in full public view.
• Not switching off heaters when you go to sleep.
• Pouring petrol or paraffin on a fire to get it going.

- (Susan Erasmus, Health24)

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Operations Manager R20,000-25,000 Per Month Cost To Company Incl Benefits Gauteng - East Rand Financial Accountant: CA(SA) R400,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Key Account Manager Gauteng Java Developer-CT Western Cape - Cape Town Java Developer-Jozi Gauteng Account Manager R460,000-540,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Plus Benefits Gauteng Account Manager R460,000-540,000 Per Annum Market Related Plus Benefits South Africa Case Manager R210,000-220,000 Per Annum Negotiable Gauteng - Pretoria Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job