Electric Shock
Children now a days are at very little risk from electric shocks. Sockets are designed to be safe but electrical dangers can present themselves in different ways. If a child is electrocuted, an electrical current has passed through their body and travelled to ‘earth’. This can interfere with the body’s own electrical impulses and can cause breathing problems or cause the heart to stop.
Sometimes it is possible to see burns where the current has entered and exited the body. There may also be deep, internal burns which are not visible where the current has passed.
Most accidents that happen with children and electricity can be prevented by keeping potentially dangerous devices out of young children’s reach and away from water. Plug sockets should not be overloaded and beware that older electrical appliances can cause house fires. Check plugs, sockets and wires for scorching or fraying.
The severity of the injury will depend on the voltage, type of current and path of the current.
| High Voltage Currents | Found in overhead power lines, underground mains cables or railway power lines. Contact is usually fatal and will cause severe burns. This current tends to produce a single large muscular contraction that often throws the person away from the source of electricity. Consider potential spinal injuries or fractures. High voltage electricity has the potential to jump 18 metres so the power must be cut off and isolated before anyone can approach the casualty. Keep everyone away from the incident and wait until you have officially been informed it is safe to approach. |
| Low Voltage Currents | Low voltage currents are found in a home or workplace. This current is likely to cause muscular spasms which cause the casualty to grasp onto the object electrocuting them and preventing them from letting go. This means the child is ‘live’ so approach the situation cautiously and be sure not to touch them until you are sure the power has been disconnected. |
Treatment
- Ensure the area is safe to approach. Do not touch the child if they are still in contact with the electric source
- Turn off the power, ideally at the mains or unplug the appliance and break the cable free if needed.
- Do not touch anything metal or wet
- Once the power has been disconnected, check the child’s airway and breathing
- If the child is breathing treat injuries and burns
- Seek further medical attention, even if they seem fine
- If the child has been unconscious or has burns call 999/112