What are some dangers of homesteading?

Homesteading is a contemporary term used to describe a mode of living, usually in a rural location, that involves self-sufficiency and sustainability. Some homesteaders like to live "off the grid" meaning they produce their own solar-powered electricity, or use hydro or wind powered devices to produce energy they may need. Most homestead homes use wood for heat, depending on the climate, or passive solar, and some use propane as a back-up source of heat. If one is knowledgable about things like first aid, carpentry, weather, and food preservation, there need not be many dangers associated with this lifestyle. However, if a homesteader is living in a remote location, one potential danger is a medical emergency requiring professional help. If there is no phone service, then one cannot get help without traveling to find it. 
Weather emergencies can also present problems, such as intense rainstorms, which may cause damage to structures, or major snowstorms, which might make travel difficult or impossible. Having enough food, water and other supplies to make it through a period of being snowed-in in the winter time is crucially important for homesteading. 
Earlier in American history, homesteading referred to those in the 19th century who moved westward to settle land that was more or less up for grabs. One had to select a location carefully to make sure there was a safe and accessible source of water and enough materials nearby to construct a home. Wildlife and fish for food were also important. John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed, was well known for having fruit trees available for purchase to settlers looking to plant food crops on their newly-acquired land; apples were important because they provided a source for hard cider, the main beverage of the era. The early Colonial settlers were also homesteaders, and those who lived in the Northeast faced many dangers due to being unused to the harsh winter climate, which was much colder and more severe than these settlers were used to in England. Starvation was not uncommon, and poor health due to exposure to cold and insufficient nutrition led to people being susceptible to illness.