re: Water heater blamed for death of Iowa family in Mexico

How many foreigners were involved in that? Isolated incidents from years ago in the middle of well known cartel war.
There's neighborhoods and areas everywhere that you know are more dangerous, so you stay away from. Its the same with Mexico, especially when there's a highly publicized cartel war going on in a particular Mexican state. You'll be warned far in advance and know to stay away. Like I said, stay in your lane and don't insert yourself where you don't belong, and be respectful and you won't have any problems.

You're much more likely to get harrassed and questioned by the army or police in Mexico than we've knowingly run into Cartel people.
The Mexican people are very welcoming and extremely easy to make friends with, a lot of them can speak enough English to communicate as well. Make friends with some locals and go with them when you want to check out the night life and you'll find that in many Mexican cities you're just as safe as you would be doing the same thing in America.