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Electric shocks: prevention and first aid

18/3/2019

9 Comments

 
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How dangerous is electricity?
  • Serious electric shocks are not as common as many people think. In the UK (2010-11), 60 children (under 15) were admitted to hospital after an electric shock. This compares to 47,000 under 15s admitted to hospital as a result of falls.
  • The main danger with electricity is that it can cause house fires.  Faulty electrics start up to one in six house fires.  Causes include loose wiring, damaged cables and leads, and faulty or misused electrical appliances. 
How can accidents with electricity be prevented?
The good news is that children are at very little risk from electric shocks. Electrical sockets are designed to be safe.  But electricity can be dangerous in other ways.  Old electrical appliances and wiring, and children playing with electrical appliances, can cause burns and house fires.  Of the accidents involving electric shocks which take place in the home, many involve children biting electrical cords or poking a metal object into electrical sockets.  Or they happen when an electrical appliance meets water such as a bath or paddling pool.  Water greatly increases the risk of fatality.

You should be aware of how much your children have learned, and what they are capable of doing with electrical appliances.  If you are aware of the dangers of electricity, you can teach your children, as they grow up, to be aware of the dangers too. But younger children might not know the dangers, and they become curious before they know what they are playing with.  You may not know your toddler is able to plug in an iron or electric fire.

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. For example:
  • Electrical devices such as hairdryers and mains-operated radios should be kept out of the bathroom
Other situations, where electrical equipment fails or is used incorrectly, can be prevented by knowing the right way to use electrical appliances. For example:
  • Plug sockets should not be overloaded. Be aware not just of how many plugs are going into one socket, but also how much power they are using.  Kettles and irons use more power than lamps and even TVs.
  • Older electrical appliances can cause house fires. Check plugs, sockets and wires for scorching or fraying.  If there’s a problem, use a registered electrician to fix them.
​​High voltage danger
The danger from an electrical shock depends on the type of current, how high the voltage is, how the current travelled through the body, the person’s overall health and how quickly the person is treated.  If the person survives the initial shock, their prognosis is usually good.  However, even when the electric shock is not fatal, it can lead to permanent injury.

Electrical sockets are not the only source of electric current, and babies have little fingers and are curious; hence the importance of knowing the appropriate first aid response.  Certain socket covers can damage sockets and remove the automatic shutters – be extremely careful when choosing socket covers to ensure they meet the appropriate safety standards.

Faulty wiring and electric shocks
Old electrical appliances can have wires which become damaged and frayed over time and can, as a result, can give an electric shock when touched. Sometimes pets can chew and damage wires and they too can experience electric shocks.

Have your electrics regularly checked by a qualified electrician!
 
Electric Shock - what do you do?

Your own safety is paramount!

If you touch someone who is holding onto an electrical wire with a live current, there is a strong chance you will be electrocuted too.  As a result, it is vital you always ensure the area is safe if someone has been electrocuted.
Do not touch them until you have turned the electricity off at the mains.  Furthermore, ensure you know where the mains is located and how to turn it off.  Touching the socket where the appliance is plugged in, before disconnecting the mains, could lead to further injury.

Stop the current!

If someone has had an electric shock, switch off the electrical current at the mains to break the contact between the person and the electrical supply.

Can’t reach the mains supply?
If you can’t stop the electrical current, move the source away from you and the person using a dry, non-conducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.  A wooden broom handle can work.

If a baby or child has grasped a damaged wire, it is possible the electric shock can cause muscle spasm and as a result they will be unable to let go.  Always try and switch off the power supply.  Once the electricity has been switched off, they are safe to touch.

When to dial 112 for an ambulance:
If the person isn’t breathing or if the injured person experiences any of the following dial 112.
  • Severe burns
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Muscle pain and contractions
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness

Whilst waiting for medical help:
  • Check for response and then check for breathing
  • If they are unconscious and breathing – put them into the recovery position
  • Unconscious and not breathing – start CPR.
  • Conscious and breathing - if they are conscious and appear ok, get them checked by a medical professional.
  • be calm and reassuring
  • keep them warm and dry
  • treat superficial burns with cool, running water

Don’t be distracted by burns!

Electrical burns have an entry and exit point and burn all the way through the inside.  Therefore, the electrical burn itself, may not be the most important injury.  Furthermore, keep checking for more serious and possibly life -threatening conditions resulting from the electric shock.

For more information on keeping your family safe
​
Child Accident Prevention Trust:
https://www.capt.org.uk/

Electrical Safety First:
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/

Life First provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. Life First is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

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What to do if a Child is Poisoned -  prevention is better than cure!

9/3/2019

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A poison is any substance (solid, liquid or gas) which can cause damage if it enters the body in sufficient quantities. Poisons can be swallowed, breathed in, absorbed through the skin or injected.

Prevention is key! 

​The Childhood Accident Prevention Trust and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
both work tirelessly to prevent accidents in children and their websites are full of really useful tips and advice.

Keep all potentially harmful substances out of reach of small children and      ideally in a locked cupboard. This includes laundry detergent capsules, dishwasher tablets, medicines, alcohol, cosmetics, DIY, cleaning and gardening products.

Although they can be helpful, don’t rely on child proof caps and bitter tasting (Bitrex) to keep your child safe.

Ensure grandparents and visitors are careful about leaving potentially hazardous substances within reach, particularly medication.

Never decant medication or other products into different containers, always use original containers, clearly labelled, with childproof lids if possible.

Keep batteries out of reach of small children and ensure batteries in toys, gadgets and birthday cards are firmly secured.

Fit carbon monoxide alarms and have appliances and alarms regularly checked.

Be aware of harmful plants – many decorative plants are toxic. Plants can be checked through the Royal Horticultural Society or by asking your local florist or horticultural nursery.


What to Do if a Child is Poisoned
Poisons can cause seizures, blurred vision, a major allergic reaction or be fatal. If you suspect a child has been exposed to a potentially harmful substance, be cautious and get the child seen by a medical professional as soon as possible. The key to poisoning is really prevention.

If you suspect a child has swallowed or taken a harmful substance, calmly establish how much has gone and if any has been swallowed.
 
If the child is perfectly well, call the Antigifcentrum on 070 245 245 (they have access to a poisons database and can give clear and helpful advice) or call 112 if you are seriously worried and give as much information as you can.
 
If a berry has been eaten, photograph and take a leaf from the plant to help it to be identified. Don’t let your child run around as it will increase their metabolism and could speed up any reaction. If the poison was a tablet or substance contained in packaging, keep as much evidence as possible of what was taken and take the packaging with you to hospital.
 
If the child shows any change in behaviour, starts to vomit or becomes drowsy, call an ambulance and explain clearly what has happened. Do not take them to hospital in a car unless advised to do so by the emergency services, in case they deteriorate on the way to hospital.
 
Corrosive Substances
Cleaning products and dishwasher tablets contain strong alkalis and burn if swallowed. If you suspect a child has eaten a dishwasher tablet or drunk cleaning product, stay as calm as possible and establish what has happened. Read the advice on the packaging. Wipe away any obvious residue from around the child’s mouth and get them to rinse their mouth with milk or water. If they have swallowed the substance, give them small sips of milk or water. Phone for an ambulance and give them as much information as you can.
 
Do not make the child sick as the substance will have burnt them as they swallowed it and vomiting will burn them again. If they begin to lose consciousness and you need to give CPR, protect yourself from the corrosive substance using a face shield. If a child has eaten a button battery, they will need to be taken to A&E for an X-ray. A battery will burn through the intestinal wall and you may not be aware there is a problem until the child becomes visibly unwell.  

Antigifcentrum
https://www.antigifcentrum.be/
Tel: 070 245 245 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Adapted from:  First Aid for Life Website at:  https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/first-aid/  09/03/2019 

Life First provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. Life First is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

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    Kate Ellwood: there are some simple first aid skills everyone should know!  I am committed to sharing those skills with people so they can save a life...........  

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