Hot and Humid Summer: Electrical Safety Rules Must Be Followed!

According to the National Statistical Portal, a total of 407 electric shock accidents occurred in 2023, resulting in 21 deaths and 386 injuries.

Notably, 151 cases?about 37% of the total?were concentrated between June and August, indicating that the risk of electric shock accidents is significantly higher in the summer compared to other seasons.

Electric Safety. Provided by Clipart Korea (Not related to the report)

Electric shock refers to the phenomenon in which electrical energy applied externally comes into contact with the human body and current passes through the interior of the body.

The human body is composed of more than 60% water, which contains various electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride ions. Due to these electrolytes, the body acts as a biological conductor that responds to electrical stimuli, allowing current to easily pass through the body when electricity is applied externally.

When current passes through the body, heat is generated, causing tissue damage and burns, and affecting the heart, nerves, and muscle tissues. This can result in rigid muscle contractions, ventricular fibrillation, respiratory arrest, loss of consciousness, and electrical burns. Exposure to high current or prolonged exposure can lead to cardiac arrest or death.

Therefore, electric shock is considered a medical emergency, and immediate emergency medical assessment and treatment are required.

Common types of electric shock accidents in daily life include direct contact with outlets or electrical appliances at home. There is a high risk of electric shock when inserting fingers or metal objects into outlets, or when touching wires with damaged insulation or broken electronic devices. To prevent accidents, it is important to install safety covers on outlets that are not frequently used and to promptly replace or repair damaged wires or devices. In households with children, extra caution is needed, such as installing outlets with covers to keep them out of children's reach.

There is also a high risk of electric shock when using electrical appliances or touching electronic devices in humid environments such as bathrooms or kitchens. Especially on rainy days or in damp outdoor conditions, using chargers increases the risk of electric leakage due to unstable electrical flow. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid using or charging electronic devices in wet places and outdoors, and instead use them in safe indoor environments.

It is important to periodically check the safety of electrical installations by installing and regularly inspecting circuit breakers. Additionally, the condition of devices being charged and power cables should be frequently checked, and any damaged parts should be replaced or repaired immediately. Avoid using multi-outlet adapters excessively, carefully check for any exposed wiring, and always follow basic safety rules such as not touching electronic devices with wet hands.

Ko Kyungwan, head of the Regional Emergency Medical Center at Daedong Hospital (emergency medicine specialist), emphasized, "During the summer, the risk of electrical leakage in installations increases significantly due to high humidity from the rainy season and heavy downpours, and the use of electronic devices such as air conditioners and fans also rises, making this a period with a higher likelihood of electric shock accidents. During the summer vacation season, people often use electricity in unfamiliar environments or outdoors, so extra caution is required."

He added, "Electric shock accidents are emergencies that can have fatal consequences. Therefore, it is most important to raise awareness about the risks of electric shock and to strictly adhere to electrical safety rules in daily life."

In the event of an electric shock accident, securing safety is the top priority. Avoid direct contact with the victim and use a circuit breaker or similar device to cut off the power supply. If it is difficult to disconnect the power, use insulated gloves or a dry wooden stick?tools that do not conduct electricity?to separate the victim from the source.

After checking the victim's consciousness, immediately call 119 and try to keep the victim conscious by talking to them. If the victim is unconscious, loudly ask bystanders to call 119 and administer emergency measures such as CPR.

Even if there are no visible injuries or they appear minor, internal organs may have been damaged, so it is essential to visit a medical facility without delay for professional diagnosis and treatment.

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