My mother is evidently quite worried about me being attacked by bears. (Hi, Mudder! *waves at the computer*) While people are mauled and/or killed in bear attacks, and it is undoubtedly horrifying, the rate of bear attacks is still very, very low (according to this website, 56 fatalities and 211 nonfatal maulings in the past 20 years). I think it only sticks in people's minds because it is graphic like a horror movie. But in reality, the real risks of living here (which kill a few dozen PER YEAR), are quite different. In the interests of honest reporting, I offer the following list, which I dedicate to my mother. Mudder, please feel free to offer your "friendly reminders" on any of the following topics, which are the real killers.
1) Sliding on the ice. Driving on ice can be done safely with good tires and safe driving practices, especially when temperatures are sufficiently below freezing. But you must always be careful!
Preventative action: Drive slowly, brake gently, and don't put yourself in a situation that you have to brake hard on a curve or a turn. Do not EVER tailgate. And use studded tires.
2) Hypothermia and frostbite. This can of course occur from wearing insufficient or inadequate clothing, but it is more insidious when you are caught unexpected in cold conditions. For example, quite a few idiots around here love to walk around in indoor clothing. They dash to their car, heat the car, then dash to their offices. Well, cars break down, crashes happen, and you can also slide off the road. You must be prepared at all times to walk out for help. If you are walking around in a T-shirt, you can die in half an hour. Remember my Christmas party? Yeah, I brought a bag of warm clothes and good boots.
My boss at school takes this a step further. He says that you have to wear even MORE clothing in your car, just in case you get into a bad accident by yourself, and you are knocked unconscious. You need to be wearing enough clothing so that you will stay alive until help "happens upon" you, which can be several hours!
Preventative action: Take good care of your car, wear sufficient clothing, keep extra clothing and boots in your car.
3) Moose. You will likely kill both moose and self if you hit one in your car. Also, be careful not to startle moose if you are just walking around. A startled moose is a dangerous moose. They can trample you to death.
Preventative action: Drive slowly, and be alert when walking around. It is very helpful to have a dog that is smarter than you are (not a significant limitation, in my case). Watch your dog, and be on guard when he is on guard.
4) Slipping. Some shoes' soles get hard in cold temperatures. You WILL do a face-plant if you wear them. Oh yes, you will. Don't be vain. You will have to wear big boots with good rubber soles.
Preventative action: Wear good shoes designed for cold weather, and walk more slowly. For Heaven's sake, do not walk like me! :)
And for all these risks, it is still safer to live here than in California. In 2005, California had about 4000 traffic fatalities, out of a population of 36 million, making the fatality rate 12 fatalities per 100,000 people. Alaska had about 70 traffic fatalities, out of a population of 660,000, making the fatality rate 11 per 100,000. I suspect that population density contributes more to traffic fatalities than bad weather and ice. People driving unsafely are killers in any road conditions, but people here are so spread apart and drive so slowly that we can overcome snow and ice.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics
3 comments:
Seeing as you're in a pretty geological area I'd do some reading up on volcanoes and earthquakes in your area!
"Alaska is home to more than 40 volcanoes that have erupted in the last 200 years, and more than half of the state's population lives within 100 miles of an active volcano. "
from the UA Fairbanks website, http://seagrant.uaf.edu/features/earthquake/hazards.html
They have a little section about mudflats too, which was fascinating.
Actually, we don't have any nearby, thank goodness! Nor earthquakes. All of that stuff is on the coast. There was a big earthquake in Anchorage in the 60's... I think it was about 9 on the Richter scale. But Anchorage to here is like SF to LA... we wouldn't feel a thing from that fault line, thank goodness!
Over half the population is on the coast. :)
that's good to hear that you're not near any ash falls from volcanoes - that sounded kind of scary.
It's hard to believe you guys are still in the dead of winter (I've gotta wonder where those delicious potatoes and carrots are coming from!?) Today it was lovely - we all went hiking down in Uvas Canyon just outside of Morgan Hill, and the waterfalls were flowing and the spring flowers were just starting to bloom. When will you guys start seeing any green? April? May?
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