12 Terrifying Things In Massachusetts That Can (And Just Might) Kill You

The winters in Massachusetts are nothing to sneeze at. An icicle falling a long distance (say, one detaching from an upper story of a tall building) can reach speeds of up to 90 mph. At that velocity, a half-pound icicle that is only 3 inches in diameter can land with a 1,000-pound force. That's definitely enough to seriously injure or kill a pedestrian down below.

In Massachusetts, people die as a result of snowfall and icy conditions every single year. Check in on your elderly neighbors, keep your driveway ice-free, and watch how many marshmallows you put in that hot chocolate. Wouldn't want to choke.

Massachusetts is home to only two venomous snakes. Though they carry potentially lethal venom, the copperhead and timber rattlesnake are endangered creatures and can be found in only a few scattered areas across the state. These snakes are actually protected by law and very reclusive, so your chances of being killed by one are pretty slim. In fact, only ONE person has ever died of snakebite in Massachusetts, and that was more than 200 years ago.

Tragically, Massachusetts and especially Cape Cod have an increasingly serious heroin problem. HBO recently released a documentary entitled "Heroin: Cape Cod, USA" that has brought wider attention to the terrifying trend of heroin overdose deaths in the state.