I’m a Coroner, These 5 Simple Things Could Potentially Save Your Life
A former coroner shares 5 tips she says could save your life, from heart checks to spotting hidden dangers at home.
A California mother of three who worked as a coroner for three years has shared five potentially life-saving tips she learned on the job. Mariah Moretti's insights, based on hundreds of autopsies she conducted, emphasize the importance of simple actions that many people overlook until it's too late.
Moretti's first piece of advice is for adults over 50 to regularly check their heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming over 683,000 lives in 2024 alone. Moretti, who is not a medical professional, wanted to raise awareness about the preventable nature of many heart-related deaths.
Secondly, Moretti advises drivers to exercise caution, especially when traveling at night. She urges drivers to stop, look both ways, and proceed slowly after a traffic light turns green. Nighttime driving poses greater risks, with a higher proportion of fatal crashes occurring during those hours. Research shows that impaired drivers are a significant factor, with an overwhelming majority of wrong-way crashes involving alcohol impairment.
Third, Moretti recommends avoiding the fast lane on the freeway during late-night or early morning hours. Wrong-way driving, often due to alcohol impairment, has caused numerous fatal collisions. Older adults and those driving alone are at an increased risk for this type of accident.
Fourth, Moretti suggests cyclists stick to bike trails or neighborhood streets whenever possible, steering clear of busy roads. Visibility issues and distracted driving contribute to many serious accidents involving cyclists. The CDC estimates over 1,000 bicyclist fatalities each year, with approximately 120,000 emergency room visits for crash-related injuries.
Lastly, Moretti emphasizes the importance of knowing who is caring for your children. She encourages parents to conduct background checks on caregivers and install cameras in their homes to monitor activity. Despite federal child care rules requiring extensive background checks, gaps in compliance have been identified, with some states failing to adhere to required screening practices.
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