Electrocution can result in serious injury or even death, so it very important to know what to do in such incidents.
Ineke van Huyssteen, an ER24 spokesperson, said prolonged contact with an electrical point will cause general body seizure movement and can cause severe burns, muscle damage, fractures and heart rhythm disturbance.
“If you are electrocuted in this way, medical attention must be sought, even if you feel well afterwards as the muscle damage could lead to kidney failure. Direct contact with power lines and cables at electrical substations is often fatal,” she said.
Ineke also urged people to be aware of the following:
Prevention:
1.Do not overload power points
2.Avoid exposed electrical wires
3.Stay indoors during lightning storms
4.Do not let children play near electrical plug points
5.Childproof power points
6.Never undertake any electrical work unless you understand what to do. If you do know what to do, you should still be careful, as mistakes can happen.
7.Treat all electricity connections and wires as live, even if they were switched off at the distribution board (sometimes referred to as the ‘mains’ or DB)
8.Never work in wet areas or with anything electrical and wet. Mowing the lawn or using power tools in wet weather, for example, is dangerous.
9.General safety tips in your home should be to inspect your appliances regularly, making sure that the power cords are not cracked or frayed. If an appliance sparks or smokes when it is switched on, replace it immediately. Make sure there are no unprotected live wiring sources in or around the home.
10.When there is a power outage, treat all electricity points as live.
11.Always read an electrical device’s manufacturers manual and do not service electrical parts yourself that are marked for specialist repair only.
Signs and symptoms:
1.Burn wounds
2.Injuries, including fractures and spinal injuries, caused by muscle contraction and being flung against items
3.Heart rhythm disturbances
4.Loss of consciousness
5.Cardiac arrest
Treatment:
1.Avoid exposure to the electricity source. If possible, switch it off.
2.Remove the patient from the electrical source to a safe area.
3.Check the patient’s circulation, airway and breathing.
4.If there are no signs of life, start CPR immediately.
5.If a patient is breathing but unconscious, place the person in the recovery position.
6.Cover the burn wounds with clean, non-absorbent material.
7.Call ER24 on 084 124.
8.Follow the telephonic advice and render first aid until an ambulance arrives.
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