"14% of Electrocution Accidents Concentrated in July with Frequent Rainfall... Caution During Summer Monsoon Period"

Most Child Electric Shock Accidents from Outlets Occur Due to Playfulness

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] During the summer season, when rain frequently falls due to the monsoon, the risk of electric shock increases because of moisture, so special caution is required to prevent accidents.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 2nd, from 2016 to 2018, a total of 1,593 people were injured or killed in electric shock accidents, of which 54 died.

In particular, in July, due to frequent heavy rains and continued humid weather, the number of electric shock casualties was the highest of the year, accounting for 14% (226 people) of the total.

The causes of electric shock accidents were mainly direct contact with live parts carrying electricity at 56% (894 people), followed by arc (spark discharge) at 33% (524 people), and leakage current at 7% (117 people). By age group, people in their 40s accounted for 24% (381 people), those in their 50s 23% (362 people), and those in their 30s 18% (279 people).

Among these, when analyzing only electric shock accidents in daily life with low occupational or work-related relevance, there were 445 related casualties, with 24% (109 people) aged 10 or younger, 17% (75 people) in their 20s, and 15% (66 people) in their 50s. Among them, 162 people were injured or killed due to electric outlets, and especially children aged 10 or younger accounted for more than half at 52% (85 people; 75 aged 1-5 years, 10 aged 6-10 years), requiring special attention from guardians.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety urged that to prevent electric shock accidents occurring in residential facilities during the summer, residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs) should be regularly checked to ensure proper operation, and power must be thoroughly cut off when maintaining or repairing electrical equipment.

Touching electrical appliances or outlets with wet hands increases the risk of electric shock, so moisture must be removed and devices used only when dry. In bathrooms with high moisture, it is recommended to avoid using electrical appliances such as hairdryers or mobile phones as much as possible.

Kim Jong-han, Director of the Prevention and Safety Policy Division at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, emphasized, "To prevent electric shock accidents in children, guardians must take special care by covering outlets with safety covers to prevent children from playing with them, and by organizing multi-outlets and wires out of sight."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.