Article created by: Donata Ruzgaitė

Train once sang that there are a thousand ways to die. But we think that might be a gross underestimate. Besides the obvious causes of death like accidents, illnesses, diseases, crime and old age, there are a load of lesser-known life risks lurking around us on earth. Sometimes, people encounter them without even realizing it. They make it out alive, and only afterwards, get to truly grasp the grave danger they were in. A few of these folks even take photos of what could have been their last moments.

Bored Panda has put together a list of truly terrifying times people had an unknowing brush with death. From naive tourists taking selfies in a Chernobyl claw surrounded by deadly levels of radiation, to people casually holding creepy crawlies that could send them 6 feet under in a matter of minutes… Some of these photographs might have you treading a lot more carefully the next time you walk out the door.

#1

We Found A Giant Round Today. Weighs 125 Lbs And Has The Markings 62-Tbt95 And U.s.s.a.f. Any Ideas What We’re Dealing With?

Man unknowingly holding a potentially dangerous object on a wooden pedestrian bridge in nature.

I don't think carrying around unexploded ordnance is considered a very great choice.

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    #2

    Casually Letting Your Kid Pick Up One Of The World’s Deadliest Creatures

    Person holding a blue-ringed octopus, unaware of its dangerous potential.

    The_Mighty_Bird Report

    #3

    Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now? (Traffic Lights Mixed With Red & Green Christmas Lights)

    Nighttime view of a lit pedestrian bridge with colorful lights, seen from a vehicle, capturing a potentially dangerous scene.

    WholeLog24 Report

    #4

    Bought Like 5000$ Worth Of Crystals And Rocks Of An Old Guy. He Told Me To Never Keep This Outside Of This Container. The Rock In Question Is Extremely Heavy For Its Size. What Could This Be

    Person holding a jagged, potentially dangerous rock in their palm, unaware of its risk.

    That's probably Uranium, you yutz! When the old rock guru dude tells you to keep it in the box, keep it in da box? It's just alpha particles, but you don't want a whole lot of bombardment over time...

    Awstoniscool , Perioscope Report

    #5

    Tourists In Chernobyl, Sitting In An Excavator Claw Used After The Disaster. (It Has Deadly Levels Of Radiation)

    Two people posing inside a large rusty machine with a radioactive sign, highlighting potential danger.

    TheEvilFlea Report

    #6

    Wild Carrots? Found On The Beach Of Southern Zealand, Denmark

    Close-up of a person holding a plant with tangled roots, highlighting potential danger not fully realized.

    it's actually water hemlock, which is incredibly poisonous.

    c_biv_2201 Report

    #7

    24 Hours Underground , We Drank Mine Water

    Person drinking from a natural spring in a cave, unaware of potential danger.

    Well, silver lining, you might get a disease named after you!

    Underground_1973 Report

    #8

    Why Is This Hose Nailed To The Wall?

    Yellow gas line installation shows a potentially dangerous situation.

    That is a nail through a live gas line, that is super bad.

    Riivek Report

    #9

    What Is This? Dog Brought In From Outside

    Close-up of a hand holding a red ice cube with mold, showcasing a potentially dangerous food item.

    it's rat bait. Get your dog to a vet immediately, take the bait with you. I hope your pup will be okay and didn't ingest too much. Some people are absolute bastards and poison dogs on purpose, so I'm hoping that's not the case.

    alicekat Report

    #10

    How Lucky I Am To Be Still Alive? Red Sea, Egypt

    Hands holding a dangerous sea snail underwater, surrounded by coral.

    This is a textile cone snail, Conus textile. All cone snails are venomous and this species is one of those known to be dangerous to humans. Deaths are rare, about 30 are known to have occurred among all cone snail species, but likely underreported. So yeah, it was a bad idea to just pick it up, especially underwater where it was very likely alive.

    AArdvarkPaws , JorikThePooh Report

    #11

    Petting The Animals

    Person taking photo of bear cubs on a forest trail, unaware of potential danger.

    ds3101 Report

    #12

    Found In The Florida Everglades

    Person holding a leaf with a dangerous hairy caterpillar outdoors, unaware of its potential harm.

    That is a puss caterpillar. It is a NOPE; DO NOT TOUCH bug. It’s bristles are venomous; it’s actually one of the most venomous insects in North America.

    mwhitmont , ChequeRoot Report

    #13

    Came Home To My Mom Boiling Bleach To Clean A Pan Of Some Burnt In Sugar, Creating A Highly Toxic Gas

    Metal pot with water in a sink, unaware of potential danger of scalding if unnoticed.

    willgrowlikeamen Report

    #14

    My Parents’ Breaker Box

    Electrical panel with exposed wiring and wooden sticks, highlighting a potential danger.

    “It’s been fine since I shoved all that stuff in it.” -Parental Unit that’s responsible Redneck ingenuity at its finest. It’s been like this for at least 15 years. sigh Yes, it’s finally failing and being replaced. Yes, sparks fly at random times. Yes, I’m disappointed.

    Proper-Designer491 Report

    #15

    Snow Pinwheels! Natures Warning Sign Of Rising Avalanche Risk

    Snow rollers in a field, illustrating dangerous natural phenomena rarely captured on camera.

    BC_Wanderer Report

    #16

    That Looks Terrifying

    Two men on a precarious ladder setup on a rooftop, unaware of the potential danger involved.

    stephaniemain2 Report

    #17

    Was Cleaning Webs Off My Porch…

    A black widow spider inside a clear plastic container.

    And this lady just dropped herself down from my light fixture right next to my flip flopped foot. This is the BIGGEST black widow I’ve ever seen in person.

    HauntedSpiralHill Report

    #18

    Round Metal Ball Found Whilst Digging Has A Hole In One Side, Very Heavy Easily 3kg

    Gloved hand holding a potentially dangerous round object with a hole, against grassy background.

    If there’s a hole in a cannonball it’s for a fuse to light the explosives inside. You should put that down immediately and potentially contact law enforcement about ordnance disposal

    RaedwaldRex , George__Hale Report

    #19

    What Happens To Potatoes After A Year In The Cellar

    Sparse tangled roots in a green container, possibly dangerous without being fully realized.

    Rotting vegetation in an unventilated space - it uses up all the oxygen in the air. If you see someone passed out in a confined space, never follow them in, call the fire department.

    Daniel_XXL_69 Report

    #20

    I Almost Fell Into A Sinkhole Under My Porch. I Caught Myself On The Edge Of The Hole, From My Chest Down Was Just Dangling Beneath Me. Below The Opening The Hole Is About 10’ Wide And 15’ Deep

    Snow-covered ground with a hidden dangerous hole revealing deep roots beneath.

    The hole extends to about the middle of my grill. These are not great pictures but it’s dark. I think that’s the foundation.

    Punk_Chachi Report

    #21

    Unsupported/Shifted Load

    Truck carrying unsecured steel, posing a potential danger on the road.

    aicrooster Report

    #22

    Anybody Know What Kinda Octopus Is This? Found Here In Kiana, Australia

    Person holding a blue-ringed octopus in their hand, showcasing a dangerous sea creature.

    This guy holding a blue-ringed octopus. Blue-ringed octopuses, comprising the genus Hapalochlaena, are four extremely venomous species of octopus that are found in tide pools and coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian oceans, from Japan to Australia.

    ferchomax Report

    #23

    The Baldest Tire I Have Ever Seen Just Rolled In. Its On Display In The Showroom Now

    Worn-out tire with no tread, illustrating a hidden danger in everyday objects.

    Renegade00101 Report

    #24

    Need Help Removing Stains From My Fireplace

    Fireplace with logs, noticeable soot stain on stone wall above, potential unseen danger.

    I don't know about cleaning the soot on the front but you might need to get your flue checked out or your chimney cleaned. Doesn't seem like you have adequate flow through your chimney.

    ferzbeefan Report

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    #25

    Cutting Holes Through Joist For Hvac?

    Damaged wooden beams in a ceiling, showing dangerous structural compromise.

    We are putting a new floor and contractor cut holes through joist?(not sure if I am using the right word) to connect hvac? Does this seem correct from structural integrity perspective?

    Dry_Rip8393 Report

    #26

    Taxi Ride To Airport

    Car dashboard covered in seashells, posing a potential hazard to drivers without realizing the danger involved.

    Does this count? I felt I was on the wrong side of a claymore mine the whole ride though the van may have been old enough not to have a passenger side airbag... Still...

    NDVermin Report

    #27

    Safe To Say I Switched Lanes Immediately After This Photo

    Truck carrying unsecured tires on highway, illustrating a risky situation.

    ToastySpd Report

    #28

    My Parents Came Back Home To This. Almost Burned Their House Down With This Concave Mirror

    Mirror on shelf reflecting window, potential hazard unrecognized.

    willi_the_racer Report

    #29

    What's This Dapper Little Guy My Friend Found In Coastal(Ish) North Carolina?

    Close-up of a red velvet ant on a person's hand, highlighting its dangerous nature.

    Cuddling with a Red Velvet Ant.

    deadmmemes Report

    #30

    My Husband Was Working In The Crawlspace Of Our 1901 Home And Almost Crawled Into This Uncovered Well

    Dangerous abandoned well covered with bricks, partially hidden among debris, appearing unstable and hazardous.

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    #31

    Dude Accidentally Bought Something A Lot More Radioactive Than Expected

    Geiger counter showing high radiation levels on a vintage jug, showcasing hidden danger in everyday antiques.

    iltby Report

    #32

    Yesterday In Indi

    Truck carrying large logs on highway, potentially dangerous load.

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    #33

    Dialysis Venous Chamber Missing A Filter That Prevents Blood Clots From Entering Patient’s Blood Stream Causing Stroke Or Heart Attack

    Plastic tube setup in a medical environment; potential danger not immediately evident.

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    #34

    Aio BF Went To Sleep With Fan Heater On Full Power, On It's Back On The Bed With A Paper Bag On Top

    A fan heater covered by a newspaper on a bed, posing a dangerous fire risk.

    It was actually a brown amazon delivery bag, newspaper is just to show how it was left. He'd just passed out right next to it. Am I overreacting or could this have burnt our entire house down and k****d us both if i hadn't gone to check on him? This is not the first time something like this has happened.

    whereisel Report

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    #35

    My Dad Found All These Red Mushrooms, As Far As I’m Aware This Bunch Is Poisonous. He Said That If You Boil Them Twice And Dry Them Off They’re Hallucinogenic?

    Red mushrooms with white speckles on a dark cloth, potentially dangerous if misidentified.

    ShadowGangsta275 Report

    #36

    The World's Most Dangerous Plant

    Dangerous plant "Queensland Stinger" in a pot, with a warning sign about intense throbbing pain from contact.

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    #37

    Poor Man’s Car Lift To Find The Power Steering Leak

    A car dangerously elevated on unstable wooden blocks in a garage setting.

    capdee Report

    #38

    Found This Little Guy In A Fender Well Today

    Fuzzy yellow caterpillar held by fingers, seemingly harmless but potentially dangerous if touched.

    The car technician who found this cute lil' guy in a wheel well, only to find out that it's an American dagger moth (which can cause some painful skin rashes when handled).

    Waas507 Report

    #39

    Anyone Who Works With Earth Knows The Dangers Associated With Improper Shoring And Excavation Types. Make Sure Your Loved Ones Are Safe From This Trend

    Beachgoers dig dangerous hole stopped by officials, as onlookers watch under a cloudy sky.

    QuincyThePigBoy Report

    #40

    Found This Old Looking Bottle Of Picric Acid At The Back Of The Chemicals Rack

    A gloved hand holding a jar of picric acid, highlighting its dangerous potential in a laboratory setting.

    Extremely old bottle of picric acid, when dried up tends to explode.

    Oopsilon03 Report

    #41

    $400 For A Night Airbnb Refuses To Turn Heat Above 58 Degrees

    Open oven door with tray, gas stove with active flame, and nearby fan on kitchen counter, highlighting potential danger.

    Yes, this is actually dangerous! I'm surprised more people aren't pointing this out. You're 100% supposed to vent your range! Gas combustion byproducts (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc.) can be deadly or harmful to health. This is NOT healthy. If it's generating carbon monoxide, that's potentially deadly! At a minimum, with perfect combustion, you're flooding the house with carbon dioxide. At modest levels, CO2 creates a "stuffy room" feeling, worsens concentration, performance, and sleep. Really high concentrations of CO2 can even be hazardous to health or deadly. If you're properly venting your range, you're sending most all gas combustion byproducts out, but you're bringing in cold makeup air. Hence, a gas range/oven does NOT work for heating. Someone may say they cook all the time without venting. That's not good, but what's over an order of magnitude worse is running all the burners overnight. I didn't used to vent properly while cooking, but after seeing air quality sensor readings from my own home, even when just boiling water, I've been a convert.

    Golden5StarMan , CobaltCaterpillar Report

    #42

    Is This Raccoon Rabid? I Had To Move It And I Got Bit

    Raccoon perched on car seat inside a vehicle, capturing a moment of potential danger.

    thegreatpoopdini Report

    #43

    Seems A Little Dangerous

    Children and a tiger in a cage, unaware of potential danger, showcasing the risks of close encounters with wild animals.

    SNewby Report

    #44

    Yhese Weird Blue Creatures Washed Up On The Beach Let's Mess With Them For Likes

    Hands holding a small, dangerous blue dragon sea slug, showcasing the surprising risk of the encounter.

    JewelerPowerful2993 Report

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    #45

    World's Luckiest Man And World's Chillest Coral

    Hand holding a snake, possibly a Scarlet King, inadvertently capturing a dangerous moment.

    theglockatrice Report