More than 2000 kids are treated in emergency rooms each year due to electrical burns and other related accidents. To keep your kids safe at home, parents should regularly check possible household electrical hazards like appliances, wall outlets and electrical cords. Here is what to do in situations like these.
A Toddler Chewed a Lamp Cord
The heat from the electric current is enough to burn his mouth and lips so immediately unplug the cord. The indoor currents are low voltage so most likely his breathing would still be normal otherwise perform a CPR. Check also his mouth and face for injuries. If he has burns and in pain, try to soak a clean cloth or piece of gauze in cool water and place it on the injury. Then after applying first aid - still the child has to be sent to hospital's ER for thorough medical check up and possible internal damage.
Your Boy Sticks a Small Toy into an Electrical Socket
The child may get shock the moment an electric current passes through the toy. Move your child away from the outlet and check his breathing and pulse. If his hands are burned, apply cool water to ease the pain, and then take him to the ER. If he acts normal and has no burns or other injuries, call a doctor who will decide if your child needs to be examined further.
While Bathing your Child, a Plugged-in Radio Falls into the Tub
A strong possibility that your child may get serious electric shock therefore you need to shut off the current immediately by unplugging the radio. Use a non-metal object like broomstick to pull it out if you're wet yourself to avoid getting shocked. Remove your child from the tub and check for signs of breathing. Call an expert immediately and bring the child to ER whenever necessary.
Struck by Lightning
During a thunderstorm your child was struck by lightning. During this time, the current may pass through heart and might stop his heart. A strong current may even throw him some distance. When this happened, check if your child is breathing normally and then take him to the ER so doctors can check him for internal injuries. If he is not breathing and has no pulse, call an expert; and if he was thrown away, do not move him until help arrives, watch out for head or neck injury.
