Introduction

For a high-voltage shock, seek care at a hospital's Emergency Department. Following a low-voltage shock, call the doctor for the following reasons:

• If it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus booster
• Burns that are not healing well
• Burns with increasing redness, soreness, or drainage
• Any electric shock in a pregnant woman

A person shocked by high voltage (500 volts or more) should be evaluated in the Emergency Department. It may be prudent to get prehospital care, usually obtained by calling 911. Following a low-voltage shock, go to the Emergency Department for the following concerns:

• Any noticeable burn to the skin
• Any period of unconsciousness
• Any numbness, tingling, paralysis, vision, hearing, or speech problems
• Any electric shock if more than 20 weeks' Pregnant
• Any other worrisome symptoms

Self-Care at Home

Brief low-voltage shocks that do not result in any symptoms or burns of the skin do not require care. For any high-voltage shock or for any shock resulting in burns, seek care at a hospital's emergency department. A doctor should evaluate electric cord burns to the mouth of a child.

Prevention

Steps to prevent electrical injury depend primarily on the age of people involved. For children younger than 12 years, most electrical injuries are caused by power cords. Inspect your power cords and extension cords. Replace any cords that have broken or cracked external covering and any cord that has exposed wire.

• Do not allow children to play with any electrical cord.
• Limit the use of extension cords and ensure the cord is rated for the current (measured in amps) that will be drawn by the device being powered.
• Use outlet covers to protect infants from exploring electrical outlets.
• Update old, ungrounded electrical outlets to grounded (3-prong) systems. Replace outlets near any water (sink, tub) with fused (GFCI) outlets.

In children older than 12 years, most electrical injuries result from exploring and activities around high-power systems. Explain to adolescent children that they should not climb on power towers, play near transformer systems, or explore electrified train rails or other electrical systems. Among adults, the use of common sense can help reduce electrical injury. People who work with electricity should always check that the power is off before working on electrical systems. Avoid the use of any electrical device near water. Be careful when standing in water or when working with electricity. Use caution when outdoors during a thunderstorm containing lightning. Protect yourself from lightning strikes by seeking shelter in a sturdy building or crouching low and away from trees and metal objects if caught outdoors.

Outlook

Recovery from electric shock depends on the nature and severity of the injuries. The percentage of the body surface area burned is the most important factor affecting prognosis.

If someone who has received an electric shock does not suffer immediate cardiac arrest and does not have severe burns, he or she is likely to survive.

Infection is the most common cause of death in people hospitalized following electrical injury.

Electrical damage to the brain may result in a permanent Seizures disorder, depression, anxiety, or other personality changes.