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What should I do if my child receives an electrical shock?
Home » Child Safety » Outlet Covers » What should I do if my child receives an electrical shock?If your child touches an electrical current, it can cause a tingling sensation, a burn, or a serious injury—depending on the strength and type of current and how long he holds on. Some electrical shocks are minor and cause no long-term injury. Stronger currents, however, can enter your child’s body at one location and leave it at another, damaging all the tissue in its path. Shocks can render a child unconscious, stop his breathing, and cause cardiac arrest, damage to other organs, and even death.
If you are at the scene, shut off the power source if possible. If you cannot turn it off, call for help. Do not touch water or your child with bare hands while he is in contact with the current or you risk electrocution. Use an object that doesn’t conduct electricity such as a wooden broom handle or a rolled-up magazine to break your child’s connection with the current.
Check your child’s breathing when he is no longer in contact with the electrical current. If it’s rapid, irregular, or stopped, ask someone to call 911 while you administer CPR. If his breathing is normal, check his skin color. If he looks pale, call 911.
Electrical shocks can cause deep and painful burns so carefully examine your child’s skin. Note that burns on the lips are difficult to see. Do not put ice, first-aid ointment, or anything else on an electrical burn. Take your child to a doctor to clean and dress the wound and check for internal organ damage—even if the burn does not look severe. The doctor will recommend lab tests if she suspects any internal injury. If the burns are serious, your child will likely be hospitalized. Your doctor can also recommend a dose of acetaminophen to manage the pain.
References :
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov)
Baby Center (www.babycenter.com)
About.com (www.about.com)
Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org)
State Farm Insurance (www.statefarm.com)
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