Iowa is a very safe state, the sixth safest state in the country to be exact! But, that doesn’t mean we are completely without danger here in Iowa. In fact, there are quite a few terrifying things in Iowa that can (and just might) kill you… Here are nine of them:
- Tornadoes
Daniel Rodriguez/Flickr Tornadoes are a very dangerous part of living in Iowa. These things can, and will, kill you - but they don’t have to. Make sure you have a proper safety plan in place in case of a tornado, and practice it with your family.
- Floods
U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr Floods are another deadly natural disaster that affect Iowa more often than we would like. Luckily, there is usually enough time for people to safely evacuate, but the same cannot always be said for cars, homes, and personal belongings.
- Deer
John Piercy/Flickr Deer are another one of the deadliest aspects of living in Iowa. Drivers in Iowa have a 1 in 68 chance of hitting a deer, according to State Farm Insurance. Iowa is also #3 on the list of states where you’re most likely to hit a deer.
- Mosquitos
John Tann/Flickr A bite from one of these won’t kill you, but in some cases you could contract a dangerous, even deadly, disease.
- Ticks
Macroscopic Solutions/Flickr Ticks are another nasty little critter found in Iowa. While their bites won’t kill you either, they can infect you with many different, and dangerous, diseases.
- The Timber Rattlesnake
Douglas Mills/Flickr According to the Polk County Conservation’s website, Iowa has four species of dangerous snakes, including the timber rattlesnake. The timber rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous snake, and can be found in eastern and southern Iowa on bits of relatively undisturbed habitat. Don’t worry too much though, you have a very small chance of dying from a bite from this venomous snake.
- The Brown Recluse
OakleyOriginals/Flickr According to the Polk County Conservation’s website, Iowans only have to worry about two venomous spiders, one of which is the brown recluse. Brown recluse spiders can be found throughout the state in logs, mulch, outbuildings, and occasionally in dark areas of houses. Recluses are not aggressive, but will bite if disturbed. Although a bite from one of these can damage tissue, fatalities from these are extremely rare.
- The Black Widow
Marc Matteo/Flickr The black widow is the only other venomous spider Iowans have to worry about, according to the Polk County Conservation website. Luckily, these things are rare in Iowa, but they can be found hiding in logs and woodpiles around homes. Although they are considered the most venomous spiders in North America, their bite is rarely fatal to humans.
- Winter
chanzi/Flickr And if you manage to make it out alive without encountering any of the other things on this list, the winters will surely get you!
We’re sorry if this list makes you hesitant to leave the house, we feel the same way… But hey, living in Iowa is totally worth it, right?!
Daniel Rodriguez/Flickr
Tornadoes are a very dangerous part of living in Iowa. These things can, and will, kill you - but they don’t have to. Make sure you have a proper safety plan in place in case of a tornado, and practice it with your family.
U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr
Floods are another deadly natural disaster that affect Iowa more often than we would like. Luckily, there is usually enough time for people to safely evacuate, but the same cannot always be said for cars, homes, and personal belongings.
John Piercy/Flickr
Deer are another one of the deadliest aspects of living in Iowa. Drivers in Iowa have a 1 in 68 chance of hitting a deer, according to State Farm Insurance. Iowa is also #3 on the list of states where you’re most likely to hit a deer.
John Tann/Flickr
A bite from one of these won’t kill you, but in some cases you could contract a dangerous, even deadly, disease.
Macroscopic Solutions/Flickr
Ticks are another nasty little critter found in Iowa. While their bites won’t kill you either, they can infect you with many different, and dangerous, diseases.
Douglas Mills/Flickr
According to the Polk County Conservation’s website, Iowa has four species of dangerous snakes, including the timber rattlesnake. The timber rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous snake, and can be found in eastern and southern Iowa on bits of relatively undisturbed habitat. Don’t worry too much though, you have a very small chance of dying from a bite from this venomous snake.
OakleyOriginals/Flickr
According to the Polk County Conservation’s website, Iowans only have to worry about two venomous spiders, one of which is the brown recluse. Brown recluse spiders can be found throughout the state in logs, mulch, outbuildings, and occasionally in dark areas of houses. Recluses are not aggressive, but will bite if disturbed. Although a bite from one of these can damage tissue, fatalities from these are extremely rare.
Marc Matteo/Flickr
The black widow is the only other venomous spider Iowans have to worry about, according to the Polk County Conservation website. Luckily, these things are rare in Iowa, but they can be found hiding in logs and woodpiles around homes. Although they are considered the most venomous spiders in North America, their bite is rarely fatal to humans.
chanzi/Flickr
And if you manage to make it out alive without encountering any of the other things on this list, the winters will surely get you!
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