Electric shock: what to do with babies and children?

Prevent electric shock: Make everything childproof in good time

Basically, it is always better to be safe than sorry. It is highly advisable to attach child safety devices to the sockets at an early stage. You can find more tips on how to make your home childproof in the printable “ Childproof home ” checklist.

What happens in the event of an electric shock?

In an electric shock, electric current flows through the body. This can only happen if the circuit is closed. So if your child touches an open, broken cable, they close this circuit with their body and get an electric shock. Depending on the strength and tension, this can lead to burns or even respiratory and cardiac arrest.

Recognize an electric shock

• An electric shock manifests itself in seizures,
• Burn injuries at entry and exit points
• as well as unconsciousness and
• in the worst case in a circulatory arrest.

Correct measures in the event of an electric shock

• Before taking any life-saving measures, it is imperative that you break the circuit. It’s best to take out the fuses. If it is possible, you can also pull the plug. If neither the fuse box nor the plug can be reached immediately, the child must be hit or kicked away with a non-conductive object. It sounds brutal, but it can be life-saving. Use dry, wooden objects such as a chair, stick, or broom. To protect yourself, you should also stand on non-conductive material: a thick newspaper or rubber-soled shoes. You may only touch your child when the circuit is broken!
• Under no circumstances should you touch your child with your bare hands, otherwise the current will spread to you.
• Alert the emergency services as soon as possible!
• Check whether your child is still breathing and his heart is beating. In the event of cardiac arrest, you must begin resuscitation . If your child is only unconscious but breathing, it must be placed in the stable side position .
• The burns will be treated next. They must be immediately cooled and bandaged to keep the wound from becoming infected.
• You can open the windows to give your child fresh air.

Think first, then act!

As with all emergencies, keep calm and intervene carefully. Even if you want to help your child without thinking, a headless behavior can put both of you in mortal danger. So the motto is: think quickly and then act correctly!