My Sanctuary

Home Sweet Home! 

There is something about coming home at the end of a long work day, putting the key in the lock and opening the door. You may be the kind to slip into something more comfortable, grab some quick dinner or a snack. Maybe you have a full night time routine with the kids and family. Pet the dog, or whatever your familiar may be. Sit down. Put your feet up. You are in your safe space!

Most people will look around a house for things that are a potential danger, or worse a cause of death. You may come to the conclusion, that very few if any can actually be lethal

Well you would be wrong Here is a list of the top 10 things that have been factually cited during Murder trials, and COD (certificates of death)

In 2006, the Murder weapon of choice for a south african woman, was a Star Wars Coffee mug, after a brief fight the woman picked up the mug and threw it in the direction of her brother. The mug hit the man with such force, it shattered, lacerating his face and his jugular.

A Lamp: A Woman in a Care Home, Bristol in winter of 2019 was changing her light bulbs, She unplugged the lamp. Removed the old bulb. She then placed the new bulb in the stand alone lamp. The temperature difference between the air, the hot base of the lamp and the cold new bulb cause it to shatter. Breaking shards into the air, landing in her eyes and face. The woman stumbled, got caught in the cord. Fell to the ground and was found bloody, 2 days later. She had died of electric shock and blood loss.

Office Chair: You know you have done it. Sat on a chair and adjusted the height. Well did you know those chairs contain a small tank of compressed air? In 2009 a 14yr old, was adjusting his chair when the tank malfunctioned and sent plastic, and metal shards right thru his…well his sitting spot. He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at the local hospital.

A Bottle cap: A man in 1983, was having a few too many, while going about his regular ritual of using eye drops and nasal sprays, he had opened another drink. Placing the bottle cap between his front teeth he leaned back to administer the drops. Head tilted back. One quick inhale and the bottle cap became lodged in his throat. Where he was found to have died of asphyxiation. (By the way this was the Playwright Tennesee Williams)

Air Conditioners: Vito Degiorgio what actually killed in NYC by a Window AC unit falling on his head in 1988. In 2003 there were 8 cases of various house fires, electric shock as well as one case of hypothermia death associated with household AC units.

Window Blind cords: We that survived the 80s know all about the window blind cords, but truth be told it was never just an air of caution. In a decade-long research study 308 deaths occurred from the pull style blinds, 130 of them being children, 70 beloved pets and over 100 adults.

That classic Lazy Boy: Mechanical relaxing chairs designed to lift your feet and help you relax have actually been the reason for 6 deaths. The company recalled 2700 units after they had discovered the enclosure could crack, exposing the seated person to the full voltage of the main power source. Basically making it your living room electric chair.

Umbrella: While walking home, a 40 yr old German Man was impaled by an umbrella mechanism. The witness account was he had taken the umbrella out of his bag. Raised it just above his waist to low chest height and pushed the button to release it. While doing so the metal snapped and came at him with such force it pierced through his left lung.

A Corner, any corner. We are talking about a wall, table, a counter, and edge. All it takes is a wrong move, a fall, an open cupboard and you can actually impale yourself. 201 cases of death by fall, due to blunt trauma of a “Corner object” Have been reported since 2020.

And a kinda gruesome known murder case:
A microwave was the murder weapon of choice for China Arnold,who admitted to placing her baby in the microwave. ( i don't suggest your read the case but I will note she was convicted of Aggravated Murder (2011) and given life without ANY chance of parole)

Don't forget to lock the doors.