Common sense is free but in many instances is ignored for the greater good of a “cool” picture with a horrific ending. Russia is facing a recent outbreak of gruesome deaths and serious accidents and they all have one common theme. Each person was in the midst of taking a selfie. This year alone more than 100 people have been hospitalized and approximately 10 people are dead. How? Why?
A cell phone was discovered earlier this year in the Ural Mountains following a small explosion and investigation. Officials discovered something morbidly ridiculous on the phone. A final picture of two men facing the camera holding a grenade, with the pin pulled out.
Two months ago, a young man from the Ryazan region decided to climb a railway bridge and snap a selfie. When he accidentally encountered live wires, it was the last picture he would ever take. The Russian Ministry is now issuing a brochure and even a video to provide common sense techniques to citizens around the country. In the brochure, which can be seen here, the Ministry outlines some “what not to dos” for those obsessed with selfies. One picture encourages citizens not to pose with loaded, pointed guns. Who would need that remainder?
Well just in May, a young woman took a selfie holding a pistol, but when she snapped the picture she also accidentally pressed the trigger on the gun, shooting herself in the head. She survived the shooting, but suffered critical injuries.
For those who think this particular issue is reserved for Russia? That would be an incorrect assessment. Injuries and deaths following selfies were so prevalent across the globe in 2014, many media outlets called it the “Year of the Death Selfie.” It appears that “trend” is carrying over into 2015. Russia has become one of the first countries to step up and address it publicly.
Yelena Alexeyeva, an aide to the Russian Interior Minister, has sage global advice for all those considering doing something tragically wrong: “Before taking a selfie, everyone should think about the fact that racing after a high number of ‘likes’could lead someone on a journey to death and his last extreme photo could turn out to be posthumous.”
When preparing for a selfie, put the weapons away, stay away from ledges and keep your feet safely grounded away from traffic and trains. And, no selfies when driving.