First aid: electric shock
© Jupiter
Your child may get an electric shock from frayed flexes or wires, light switches, defective electrical appliances or from touching an appliance with wet hands.
In severe cases your child may lose consciousness. In mild cases she may have burns - often at the point of entry and exit of the electricity.
- Break the contact between your child and the source of electricity. Switch the current off at the mains or pull the plug out of the wall.
- If you have to break the contact manually make sure you do it safely: push your child away using an object made of a non-conducting material, such as wood or plastic, and stand on an insulating material. Or drag your child away by his clothes; your hands must be dry and you mustn't touch his skin.
- Examine your child for burns. If burns are severe or your child is unconscious call an ambulance. In the meantime, treat the burns.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
See more in the dossier: Emergency first aid
Get more on this subject…
