Ten everyday things more likely to kill you than a shark

When JAWS was released in June 1975, it not only smashed all box-office records, creating the summer blockbuster, it also resulted in a mass and irrational fear of sharks, single-handedly causing a downturn in the package holiday trade.

It is true that the fear of shark attacks is often exaggerated, as there are many everyday things that are statistically more likely to cause harm. Here are ten examples of everyday things that are more likely to kill you than a shark:

Car accidents: According to the National Safety Council, the odds of dying in a motor vehicle accident are about 1 in 114.
Falls: The odds of dying from a fall are about 1 in 127, according to the National Safety Council.
Poisoning: The odds of dying from accidental poisoning are about 1 in 1,462, according to the National Safety Council.
Fire: The odds of dying in a fire are about 1 in 1,498, according to the National Safety Council.
Drowning: The odds of drowning are about 1 in 1,847, according to the National Safety Council.
Heart disease: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with a 1 in 6 chance of dying from it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cancer: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, with a 1 in 7 chance of dying from it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Stroke: The odds of dying from a stroke are about 1 in 24, according to the National Safety Council.
Lightning: The odds of dying from a lightning strike are about 1 in 138,849, according to the National Safety Council.
According to figures from the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, between October 2011 and November 2017, 259 people around the world died while taking selfies, with 50 people killed in shark attacks during the same time period - read more: Selfies more deadly than sharks

It is important to note that these statistics are based on averages and do not guarantee safety. However, they do provide perspective on the relative risks of different activities and events in daily life.