HOW ELECTRICITY CAN HARM YOU

Electricity is useful, but it's dangerous as well because it doesn't just shock you, it burns you alive. The electricity that travels from power plants has much higher voltage and more dangerous than the electricity in our homes.

The electricity that comes out of household power sockets is also dangerous enough to kill. Don't play with power sockets or push things into them. Don't take apart electrical appliances, because dangerous voltages can linger inside for a long time after they are switched off.

Current passing through your body can result in 3 types of potential injuries:

• Electric Shock - this is when electrical current passes through the body. Even a small shock can be frightening and painful. Electric shock can cause muscle spasms, weakness, shallow breathing, rapid pulse, severe burns, unconsciousness, or death.

• Burn - this is when electrical current can burn the skin, nerves, muscles and tissues in the body.

• Kill (Death) - a severe electrical shock can cause problems with a person's breathing and heartbeat, possibly leading to death.

What to do in case of an electrical emergency?

• Call the emergency line and tell them it is an electrical accident.

• Do NOT touch the person or anything he or she is touching. When the person is not in contact with the source of electricity and you're sure there is no danger, tell an adult to give first aid for electrical injury. This may include CPR.

• Don't touch burns, break blisters, or remove burned clothing. Electrical shock may cause burns inside the body, so be sure the person is taken to a doctor.