Not all sacrifices are voluntary

I once helped a woman to cut a small branch from a tree so she could fashion a ritual wand from it. I remember being astounded that, given a sharp knife, the use of both hands, and a branch within reach, there would be any need for help. I was younger and dumber then; now I know that the skill sets possessed by perfectly regular people vary widely, and that some people really shouldn't be left to handle sharp tools without close supervision.
A case in point is the story of Katherine Gunther, who went to a cemetery in order to give thanks in a ceremony for a recent run of good luck. Non-Pagans reading this, rest assured that this, while not off the charts, is not representative of everyday Pagan behavior. I myself give thanks from a cozy chair next to a small fire-circle in my yard. Anyway, Katherine was aiming to stab her 36-inch sword into the ground shortly after midnight (sheesh), when she accidentally put it through her foot.
Lest anyone think Wiccans are silly for having practices which can cause injury like this, take a moment and read this story about a pastor whose use of a dirt-bike during a sermon, in a church, caused at least as much suffering. Or this one about a Pastor who does "Priesto Magic" blowing off part of his finger with a malfuncioning wand while making a duck disappear.
I can't find a reference for it online, but I once saw a news item about the subject of an exorcism dying accidentally as the result of a crucifix having been shoved down her throat. I guess we could all use a little more common sense sometimes. My advice to Gunther is this: Don't give up your rituals, quirky as they may be, because even the Gods like a little entertainment now and then. Don't even get rid of that sword, although a good cleansing ritual might be in order. Just add steel-toed boots, and maybe a flashlight, to your ritual gear. See? Problem solved.