Spiral SearchElectrocution: Dangers to Look For and How to Help
How to stay safe around electrical hazards, how to help a shock victim, and why even a “minor” shock needs a check-up.
Do not touch a person who is still in contact with electricity. You can be shocked too. Call 911 and keep everyone back.
General information, not medical advice. Reading a guide is not a substitute for a hands-on first aid or CPR class (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and local fire-rescue departments offer them). If someone may be in danger, call 911 and follow the dispatcher.
Dangers to look for
- Downed or sagging power lines, including those touching vehicles, trees or puddles. Assume every line is live.
- Sparks, buzzing or smoke from outlets, equipment or boxes.
- Standing water around electrical equipment or appliances.
- Lightning: a person struck by lightning does not carry a charge, and can be helped as soon as the storm danger is acceptable.
- Use of damaged extension cords, space heaters and indoor generators.
- Children reaching into outlets.
What to do
- Stay back. For high-voltage lines or lightning, stay at least 20 feet (about 6 meters) away, farther if the wires are jumping or sparking.
- Call 911. Tell them if power lines are involved.
- Turn off the power at the breaker, fuse box or switch, if it is safe to do so.
- If you cannot turn it off for a low-voltage source in the home, use a dry, non-conducting object (cardboard, plastic or wood) to move the source away. Do not use metal, wet items or your hands.
- Once the person is clear of the source and it is safe, check responsiveness and breathing. Start CPR if there is no breathing or signs of circulation, and use an AED if available.
- Cover any burns with sterile gauze or a clean cloth (no fluffy blankets).
- Keep the person warm, lying still, and do not move them unless they are in danger, because falls and muscle contractions can cause fractures or spine injuries.
Always get checked
An electrical current can injure the heart, muscles and nerves inside the body, even when the skin looks fine. Call 911 for any severe burns, confusion, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, seizures, loss of consciousness or muscle pain. Anyone who has had a significant shock, even if they feel well, should be seen by a medical professional.
Prevention
- Keep electrical devices away from water. Use GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens and outdoors.
- Use generators outdoors only, well away from windows.
- After storms, treat every downed line as live and report it to the utility.
- Never climb trees or poles near wires.