| Hazards of Being Homeless |
There are dangers homeless people face every day which most people don't usually
experience. The death rate of homeless is about four times that of the general
population. Some hazards are due to being pedestrians, having to live outdoors,
poor nutrition and health care, and lacking protection from crime.
experience. The death rate of homeless is about four times that of the general
population. Some hazards are due to being pedestrians, having to live outdoors,
poor nutrition and health care, and lacking protection from crime.
Vehicle vs. Pedistrian or Bicyclist Accidents
Homeless are often the victims of being hit by cars, either walking or on bicycle. The Tampa
Bay area of Florida has the reputation of being among the highest in the nation for
pedestrian fatalities. I've had to jump out of the way of motorists several times, even though
using crosswalks properly (and being extremely cautious), and then been yelled at for using
the crosswalk (by possibly drunk drivers). Often people driving in a dangerous manner are
so occupied with using cell phones that they aren't consious of what they are doing.
I've observed that even emergency vehicles will often not be given the right of way. Fire
trucks with sirens, lights, and horns have to sit and wait until traffic will let them cross.
I've noticed that most people around here seldom walk anywhere, if they have an option.
Several pedestrians have been killed in the area where I live in the past few years.
Homeless are often the victims of being hit by cars, either walking or on bicycle. The Tampa
Bay area of Florida has the reputation of being among the highest in the nation for
pedestrian fatalities. I've had to jump out of the way of motorists several times, even though
using crosswalks properly (and being extremely cautious), and then been yelled at for using
the crosswalk (by possibly drunk drivers). Often people driving in a dangerous manner are
so occupied with using cell phones that they aren't consious of what they are doing.
I've observed that even emergency vehicles will often not be given the right of way. Fire
trucks with sirens, lights, and horns have to sit and wait until traffic will let them cross.
I've noticed that most people around here seldom walk anywhere, if they have an option.
Several pedestrians have been killed in the area where I live in the past few years.
Assault, Robbery and Murder
Living outdoors, without the benefit of locked doors, homeless are always at risk of being
beaten, robbed, and possibly killed. Some people, often teenagers, will assault and even kill
homeless just for entertainment. Every week there are stories across the country of
homeless being severely beaten or killed, but these are only the ones that make it into the
media. A good deal of the assaults go unreported. I've met several people that have been
asssaulted, and have been myself, but these were never in the paper.
Denver, Colorado, has had the worst reputation for assaults on the homeless. A San
Francisco study reported that 3.8% of homeless deaths were homicide.
Living outdoors, without the benefit of locked doors, homeless are always at risk of being
beaten, robbed, and possibly killed. Some people, often teenagers, will assault and even kill
homeless just for entertainment. Every week there are stories across the country of
homeless being severely beaten or killed, but these are only the ones that make it into the
media. A good deal of the assaults go unreported. I've met several people that have been
asssaulted, and have been myself, but these were never in the paper.
Denver, Colorado, has had the worst reputation for assaults on the homeless. A San
Francisco study reported that 3.8% of homeless deaths were homicide.
Wild Animals, Spiders, Snakes, and Biting Insects
Some of the most common wild animals homeless may encounter near urban areas are
raccoons, rats, opposums, and feral cats (house cats turned wild). My primary concern with
these is rabies. Raccoons get into everything looking for food. I've had to tie my suitcase,
used for storing food, shut with wire since they learned to open the latches.
Alligators usually keep to themselves unless they've been fed by people, but three people
were killed by alligators in one week in Florida (which is extremely unusual). One homeless
woman was killed where she apparently fell asleep next to some water.
Bears looking for food, or feeling threatened, can be a serious problem.
There are about 7000 venomous snakebites annually in the US, of which 9 to 15 are fatal.
Florida has black widow and brown recluse spiders (which may hide in clothing), among
plenty of others. Wasps can be a serious hazard since they can give hundreds of bites to
someone accidentally getting into a nest. Fire ants can be a problem as well, possibly giving
hundreds of painful bites.
Aside from being annoying, mosquitoes can transmit various diseases, and the West Nile
Virus has been found in Florida and other states.
NOTE: Mosquito repellents containing DEET (such as Deep Woods Off) , picardin (Cutter
Advanced Sport), or oil of lemon eucaliptus (Repel Lemon Eucalyptus) are effective. Many
other products, like ones called "herbal", are virtually worthless.
Some of the most common wild animals homeless may encounter near urban areas are
raccoons, rats, opposums, and feral cats (house cats turned wild). My primary concern with
these is rabies. Raccoons get into everything looking for food. I've had to tie my suitcase,
used for storing food, shut with wire since they learned to open the latches.
Alligators usually keep to themselves unless they've been fed by people, but three people
were killed by alligators in one week in Florida (which is extremely unusual). One homeless
woman was killed where she apparently fell asleep next to some water.
Bears looking for food, or feeling threatened, can be a serious problem.
There are about 7000 venomous snakebites annually in the US, of which 9 to 15 are fatal.
Florida has black widow and brown recluse spiders (which may hide in clothing), among
plenty of others. Wasps can be a serious hazard since they can give hundreds of bites to
someone accidentally getting into a nest. Fire ants can be a problem as well, possibly giving
hundreds of painful bites.
Aside from being annoying, mosquitoes can transmit various diseases, and the West Nile
Virus has been found in Florida and other states.
NOTE: Mosquito repellents containing DEET (such as Deep Woods Off) , picardin (Cutter
Advanced Sport), or oil of lemon eucaliptus (Repel Lemon Eucalyptus) are effective. Many
other products, like ones called "herbal", are virtually worthless.
Weather
Nearly 100 people are killed and 500 injured annually in the US by lightning (NOAA). Being
homeless makes finding shelter from the storms more difficult, so you do the best you can.
I've been out in storms where the lightning was so close I could feel it in my chest, but had
no-where to take cover.
With hurricanes, shelters open to everyone if a storm is imminent. It's one time those with
homes learn what it's like in a shelter, together with the homeless. If the storm isn't classified
as a hurricane the shelters don't open, which means staying out in the weather even with
up to 70mph winds, heavy rain, lightning, and tornados. Floods and flash-floods are number
one in weather related deaths in the US.
Cold weather can be a serious danger, even in southern states. Every year many people
die from hypothermia (even in Florida), or are seriously injured by frostbite. Cold weather is
especially hazardous for those in poor health, as many homeless are. Some people use the
term "freezing-to-death". If the weather is cold enough (even if well above freezing), you
don't have adequate clothing or warm shelter, and your body cannot continue to maintain a
normal tempertature, you will die. Freezing has nothing to do with it.
Nearly 100 people are killed and 500 injured annually in the US by lightning (NOAA). Being
homeless makes finding shelter from the storms more difficult, so you do the best you can.
I've been out in storms where the lightning was so close I could feel it in my chest, but had
no-where to take cover.
With hurricanes, shelters open to everyone if a storm is imminent. It's one time those with
homes learn what it's like in a shelter, together with the homeless. If the storm isn't classified
as a hurricane the shelters don't open, which means staying out in the weather even with
up to 70mph winds, heavy rain, lightning, and tornados. Floods and flash-floods are number
one in weather related deaths in the US.
Cold weather can be a serious danger, even in southern states. Every year many people
die from hypothermia (even in Florida), or are seriously injured by frostbite. Cold weather is
especially hazardous for those in poor health, as many homeless are. Some people use the
term "freezing-to-death". If the weather is cold enough (even if well above freezing), you
don't have adequate clothing or warm shelter, and your body cannot continue to maintain a
normal tempertature, you will die. Freezing has nothing to do with it.
Medical Problems
Living outside, or being outdoors most of the time (even if spending nights in a shelter),
results in being exposed to conditions leading to health problems that most people don't
experience. Staying at crouded shelters increases the possibilities of contracting serious
illnesses, such as tuberculosis.
Nutrition is a substantial problem among the homeless. Many free meals, which is all that
some homeless eat, can amount to little more than carbohydrates (white rice, white bread,
donuts, and pasta). Many homeless will avoid some free meals and shelters due to what is
often a hostile, high-stress envionment. Many soup kitchens are cutting back, or closing,
due to lack of funds. Some are closed due to public pressure to eliminate the homeless
(stop feeding them and they'll go away). Many homeless are fortunate to get just one
significant meal a day.
Bacterial skin infections (such as impetigo) and fungal infections can become serious
problems without proper treatment. Living in crouded conditions in shelters can increase the
transmission of diseases. If an infection is not treated quickly it can become life threatening.
Medical care is available for urgent life threatening or contagious problems, but some other
serious problems may not qualify for any assistance.
Of documented causes of death among the homeless, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, heart
disease, and cancer are the primary causes (generally in that order in urban areas). In
many cases these were problems that resulted in these people becoming homeless, though
some are a result of trying to cope with life in a hopeless situation.
Living outside, or being outdoors most of the time (even if spending nights in a shelter),
results in being exposed to conditions leading to health problems that most people don't
experience. Staying at crouded shelters increases the possibilities of contracting serious
illnesses, such as tuberculosis.
Nutrition is a substantial problem among the homeless. Many free meals, which is all that
some homeless eat, can amount to little more than carbohydrates (white rice, white bread,
donuts, and pasta). Many homeless will avoid some free meals and shelters due to what is
often a hostile, high-stress envionment. Many soup kitchens are cutting back, or closing,
due to lack of funds. Some are closed due to public pressure to eliminate the homeless
(stop feeding them and they'll go away). Many homeless are fortunate to get just one
significant meal a day.
Bacterial skin infections (such as impetigo) and fungal infections can become serious
problems without proper treatment. Living in crouded conditions in shelters can increase the
transmission of diseases. If an infection is not treated quickly it can become life threatening.
Medical care is available for urgent life threatening or contagious problems, but some other
serious problems may not qualify for any assistance.
Of documented causes of death among the homeless, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, heart
disease, and cancer are the primary causes (generally in that order in urban areas). In
many cases these were problems that resulted in these people becoming homeless, though
some are a result of trying to cope with life in a hopeless situation.
Overall
The hazards listed above are encountered by homeless people even if they don't have
pre-existing substance abuse or health problems and try to avoid trouble. Whether to health
or quality of life, these are things that homeless people face every day.
The hazards listed above are encountered by homeless people even if they don't have
pre-existing substance abuse or health problems and try to avoid trouble. Whether to health
or quality of life, these are things that homeless people face every day.
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| Black Widow spider |
Theft and Vandalism
Those living homeless don't have the luxury of locked doors. Anything left behind at a
campsite, while going out to find work or food, may not be there when you get back.
Sometimes people will set fire to tents or otherwise vandalize belongings. It could be done
by other homeless people, but often it's by children.
If you leave your boots out to dry while sleeping you may not have any when you get up. I've
had my camp torn apart with nothing but cans of beans missing.
Those living homeless don't have the luxury of locked doors. Anything left behind at a
campsite, while going out to find work or food, may not be there when you get back.
Sometimes people will set fire to tents or otherwise vandalize belongings. It could be done
by other homeless people, but often it's by children.
If you leave your boots out to dry while sleeping you may not have any when you get up. I've
had my camp torn apart with nothing but cans of beans missing.
If you leave your tent set up with your
belongings while leaving for a while, it may
not be there when you come back.
belongings while leaving for a while, it may
not be there when you come back.
| homelessamerican.com |
| homelessamerican.com |
Being hit by lightining is a very real hazard to those
with nowhere to find shelter.
with nowhere to find shelter.