I visited Yellowstone last year. The National Parks Service has an excellent walkway system which allows visitors to get an close-up view of the hot springs. All along the walkways are signs that say something along the lines of: “Step off this walkway and you will be boiled alive.”

The sheer number of people visiting these areas on an average day, and the quality of workmanship put into the park walkways projects a false sense of security. A few times I had to remind myself that I was standing above something that could kill me. Imagine being in a crowd of people seeing and experiencing something beautiful. Nobody there is unhappy, everyone is strolling along taking pictures and enjoying spectacular views of the hot springs. But in reality, it is a bunch of people standing on heat-resistant walkways above boiling lakes of death.

These warning signs are placed every few feet, but I can completely understand how idiots and children would ignore them and get themselves killed. Some walkways have railings, others don’t. Yellowstone is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The possibility of getting killed is not something actively going through your mind while you experience it.

Also, people taking photos of bison are incredibly cavalier about distance and safety. It makes sense that attacks and deaths are common enough not to make headlines.