Police in Russia have started a campaign to help people take safer selfies, after dozens died this year in incidents posing in high-risk positions.

The warning comes after in May, a woman in Moscow shot herself in the head while taking a selfie holding a pistol. She suffered head injuries but survived.

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There’s even been a video made to instruct Russians on how to take a safe selfie. Photo: Russian Interior Ministry

However, in January, two young men blew themselves up in Russian mountains when taking a selfie holding a hand grenade with a pin pulled out.

Then in May, another Russian, this time a teenager, died while taking a selfie as he was climbing a railway bridge. He perished after coming into contact with live wires.

“A cool selfie could cost you your life,” the interior ministry warn in a leaflet with tips to safe selfies.

One of the tips suggests “a selfie with a weapon kills”.

“Unfortunately we have noted recently that the number of accidents caused by lovers of self-photography is constantly increasing,” Yelena Alexeyeva, an aide to the interior minister told The Guardian.

“Since the beginning of the year we are talking about some hundred cases of injuries for sure,” she said.

She added that there’s been “dozens of deadly accidents”. “The problem really exists and leads to very unfortunate consequences.”

“Before taking a selfie, everyone should think about the fact that racing after a high number of “likes” could lead someone on a journey to death and his last extreme photo could turn out to be posthumous,” Ms Alexeyeva stressed.