1. Accidents are the third-biggest killer of men in America. In 2007, car accidents, fires, poisonings, and other unexpected tragedies killed nearly 80,000 guys.
2. Unsurprisingly, motor vehicle crashes—like the one that nearly killed Jay Williams—lead the way as the most common accidental death. In 2012, over 20,000 men were killed on the road.
3. Men are more prone to motor vehicle crashes than women, and as a result, die more frequently. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, guys rack up more miles and engage in riskier driving practices, like not wearing seatbelts and driving while intoxicated.
4. Simply wearing a seatbelt reduces your risk of a crash-related death by about 50 percent. That’s big. Men are 10 percent less likely to wear their seatbelts than women.
5. Poison is the second most frequent accidental killer. It claims just over 33,000 male and female lives per year.
6. That doesn’t just mean swallowing cleaning substances. Adults can be poisoned via pain relievers, antidepressants, sedatives, alcohol, street drugs, cosmetics, antihistamines, and fumes.
7. Next up on the list: fires and burns. They’re the third-leading cause for accidental injuries. In 2010, more than 13,000 people were hurt as a result of fires—and 2,640 died.
8. The biggest cause of fire-related deaths is a familiar culprit: smoking. Cooking is the leading cause of residential fires. Most fire victims don’t die from the burns, but rather, fall victim to the smoke or toxic gases.
9. Drowning is another form of accidental death. Nearly 80 percent of people who die underwater are male.
10. The most common theme in all these accidents? Neglecting instructions. The best way to reduce your risk is remarkably simple: Follow the rules. Pay attention. Abide by the law.
