1 in 71,601 lifetime chance of dying from being hit by lightning
The odds of dying for an American from an external cause (such as being run over) in their lifetime is 1/24.This includes
Dying in a car crash (in the car) - 1/242
Dying as a pedestrian in a car accident (1/610)
Drowning (1/7683)
Bitten by dog (1/137,000)
Bitten or crushed by reptiles (not insects) (1/115,486)
Ignition of nightwear (1/398,000)
Overexertion (1/19,000)
Update: A friend writes, 'what really worries me are the risks of "accidental suffocation and
strangulation in bed" (which is about 1 in 10,000) and the hideous sounding "Inhalation of gastric contents" (again about 1 in 10,000). The good news is that both of these events are more likely than the risks of dying from alcohol (about 1 in 12,000) although it raises some questions about the classifications. If I were to have 10 pints and fall unconcious on bed, I could see how I might die from all three of these causes at the same time - do you think my chances of dying would then increase 3 fold?
posted by Matthew @ 11/24/2003 11:10:00 AM
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