NORTH CAROLINA -- With many visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway, selfies are not rare.

• Hundreds of people have died taking a selfie, according to researchers
• More than a dozen people have died over the years at Elk River Falls; not due to selfies
• Officials and officers say many people put themselves in dangerous situations

In order to get that perfect picture, you may be putting yourself in a dangerous situation. Researchers from the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care found that between 2011 and 2017 more than 250 people died while taking a selfie.

“Over half was over drowning. You stand a better chance in dying from a selfie than you do from a shark bite but people don't see it as a dangerous thing to do because it’s a common act,” Lt. Lee Buchanan with the Avery County Sheriff’s Department said.

Researchers feel that those numbers may be even higher and may not be being reported if someone dies in a car accident due to a selfie. Grandfather Mountain president Jesse Pope says they keep an eye on areas to make sure no one is getting too close to the edge.

“We do see people trying to lean over with their camera over the rock or the swinging bridge and of course if it’s just an arm they are risking their phone,” he said.

If it’s their body, they get involved. He says while they do not currently have any no-selfie zones, they want people to stay safe while doing it.

“The best thing to do is avoid the ledges and cliffs. You can get those dramatic views without being right on the edge,” he said.

Lt. Buchanan says no selfie zones are a good idea. He has seen many people put themselves in dangerous situations.

“I do a lot, especially Elk River and Linville Falls where they actually stretch themselves over the edge taking pictures of themselves,” he said.

More than a dozen people have died over the years at Elk River Falls. None of those are due to selfies, but they are due to falling in.

“When you’re already in unsure footing and start looking up it puts you more off balance and just tips over the edge,” he said.

They say if you are going to take a selfie in the High Country, make sure you are a safe distance from that edge.