In a connected world, Qatar Living’s guide to taking safe selfies…

We live in a highly-connected world full of mobile phones, fast internet and social media.

As a result, our behavior has been modified and the ‘selfie madness’ is creeping up on us from all sides. As time goes by, we hear about people losing their in pursuit of more dangerous and exciting selfies.

On Wednesday, a man in the USA lost his life after accidentally firing a gun while taking selfie portraits with his girl friend. Here is a non-exhaustive list of selfie-related deaths around the world: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_selfie-related_injuries_and_deaths

And here is a little checklist of things to keep in mind while taking safe selfies.

1. There is now a dangerous trend of posting ‘driving selfies.’ But as is clearly understood, it’s an easy way to meet your maker well ahead of time. So banish the thought of clicking away pictures while driving.

2. While clicking selfies are fun, making it dangerous just for thrills is a foolish move of the first order. You may earn a few more ‘likes’ for your selfie from atop a pole, but if you fall down, few of those likers are likely to visit you in hospital.

3. Taking selfies dangerously close to moving vehicles, like a train, or on busy highways, will open your ‘stairway to heaven’ faster than you can say cheese!

4. Don’t attempt to take selfies from atop tall buildings as wind currents are going to destabilise you. As you obviously won’t be wearing a parachute, you’ll have about 10 to 15 seconds (on the way down) to curse yourself for your selfie madness.

5. Taking selfies with guns, knives or any other weapons can only end in tears. The more excited you’re, the more the chances of setting off unhappy accidents.

6. Hear what the Russian government has to say. It’s dangerous to take a selfie when you’re in a boat, walking up stairs, climbing a mountain, squatting on power lines, stepping in front of moving streetcars, and dangling from rooftop TV antennas. Don’t LOL yet, these are some things ‘selfie-ers’ have done to hurt themselves!

Remember, your selfies make sense only if you’re alive to show it around. Happy Selfie-ing!