1. Be Aware of Damage You Can't Always See
An object or substance does not have to be hot to burn you. Besides heat sources, burns come from radiation, chemicals and electricity. Electrical burns can leave wounds on your skin much like any hot surface would. However, because they happen when an electrical current passes through your body, they also can damage you internally in a way that is not visible on the surface. The severity of the injury depends on the strength of the current and the duration of your exposure.
2. Protect Your Children
Severe electrical burns result from exposure to powerful electrical sources, like lightning and high voltage wires. Less severe but damaging electrical burns may come from common household sources, such as electrical outlets and appliances. Children are often victims of these injuries when they chew power cords, put objects into outlets, drop electrical items into bathwater or stick utensils into the toaster. Review your home to guard against as many of these threats as you can.
3. Treat With Extra Special Care
There are special precautions when administering first aid to a person with electrical burns. Do not touch the person until you are sure she no longer is touching the electrical source. Otherwise, you could be burned. Disconnect the electrical source or remove it with something that will not conduct electricity. For example, you might employ a wooden, plastic or glass implement without any metal components. If the electrical source is in water, touch the water with any part of your body, or you could be shocked and burned. Cover any burn wounds on the victim with sterile gauze or a lint-free cloth. Do not use anything with loose fibers, like a towel or blanket, because fibers easily stick to burns.
4. A Shock to the System
Other first-aid procedures are more universal. Call for emergency assistance immediately. If the person is not breathing, begin cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Prevent the person from going into shock by keeping them warm with blankets and elevating their feet slightly. Watch for symptoms of shock, which include rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, cold sweat, weakness, loss of blood coloring from the gums and nausea or vomiting. Be aware that the person may have other injuries, especially if he was thrown by the electrical jolt.
5. Rank Prevention as the Best Cure
There are some household safety measures you can take to minimize the risk of electrical burns for you and your family. For example, block unused electrical outlets with safety plugs or covers. Keep electrical items like radios out of the bathroom and store hair dryers, curling irons and the like unplugged in a closet or cabinet. Keep kitchen appliances up on a cabinet where small children cannot reach them and unplug appliances when not in use. Teach children important rules for safety, like not sticking objects into outlets, from an early age.
