PREVENTION
RESPECT ELECTRICITY
Use child safety plugs in all outlets.
Keep electrical cords out of children's reach.
Teach your children about the dangers of electricity.
Avoid electrical hazards.
Parents of small children should put safety guards
on all electrical outlets and keep children away
from electrical devices.
Avoid using electrical appliances while showering
or when wet.
Never touch electrical appliances while touching
taps or cold water pipes.
In an emergency
DO NOT touch the victim with your bare hands while
the person is still in contact with the source of
electricity.
If possible, shut off the electrical current.
Remember simply turning off the appliance itself
will not stop the flow of electricity.
Unplug the cord, remove the fuse from the fuse box,
or turn off the circuit breakers if possible.
If the current cannot be turned off, use an object
such as a broom, wooden or plastic chair, rug, or
rubber doormat to push the victim away from the
source of the current. Do not use a wet or metal
object. If possible, stand on something dry and
non-conducting, such as a mat or folded newspapers.
Once the person is free of the source of electricity
Check the person's breathing and pulse. If either
has stopped or seems dangerously slow or shallow,
initiate first aid and resuscitation if appropriately
trained.
If the person has a burn, remove any clothing that
comes off easily and rinse the burned area in cool
running water until the pain subsides. Give first
aid for burns.
If the person is faint or pale or shows other signs
of shock put the person in the recovery position
(see Accidents and
Simple Life-saving First Aid section).
Stay with the person until they receive medical
help. Electrical accidents often result in explosions
which may lead to other injury. These may be obvious
external injuries or concealed internal injuries.
Call immediately
for emergency medical assistance if:
The victim is unconscious.
The victim has difficulty breathing.
The victim has extensive burns.
The victim develops significant delayed symptoms
(see below).
DO NOT remove dead skin or break blisters if the
victim has acquired burns.
DO NOT apply butter, ointments, medications, fluffy
cotton dressings, or adhesive bandages to a burn.
DO NOT touch the skin of someone who is being electrocuted.
DO NOT get within 20 feet of someone who is being
electrocuted by high-voltage electrical current
until the power is turned off.
DO NOT move a victim of electrical injury unless
there is immediate danger.
Delayed Symptoms
For up to 72 hours after an electric shock the person
may suffer the following symptoms:
Fatigue
Hearing impairment
Panicky over-breathing (hyperventilation)
Muscle spasm n Difficulty in breathing
Headache
Chest pain (perhaps due to a heart attack)
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Muscular pain
Loss of vision
If in doubt, contact a doctor for further advice.
