Health Dangers of Electrical Outlets

Human Body Is A Good Conductor

• Sticking your finger, or any other part of your body, into a live outlet (one connected to a circuit carrying electricity) has the potential to injure, disable or kill you. As the human body is made up of roughly 70 percent water, it is a very good conductor. When it comes into contact with electricity, the electricity will travel through the body to the ground in a matter of seconds.

Minor Bodily Dysfunction

• Though electrical shocks can be lethal, minor shocks can produce temporary bodily dysfunction. They include immediate muscle spasms or fatigue when initially coming into contact with electricity that can continue for some time after contact has ceased. Headaches can occur for some time after the shock, as well as temporary breathing difficulties. Unconsciousness is also common during, and immediately after, electrical shock. Burns to the area that came in contact with the outlet may occur as well.

Major Bodily Dysfunction

• Apart from death, major bodily dysfunction can include temporary or permanent vision loss. Hearing loss is also common. Brain damage can occur, though usually when contact with electricity is for longer than a few seconds, as well as respiratory arrest or failure. Cardiac arrest is also common, especially with older people and children.

Person Receiving Shock Must Not Be Directly Touched

• If a second person directly touches the person in the process of receiving the electric shock, the electricity will also move through that second person's body, possibly producing the minor or major bodily dysfunctions previously listed. The person receiving the shock must pulled from outlet using a item that does not conduct electricity, such as a broom handle. Once the person is free of the outlet, medical help should be immediately sought.