I’m a paramedic – here’s what to do step-by-step if your child gets an electric shock

NOTHING quite compares to the happiness of seeing your little one taking their first steps or crawling around your home.

Unfortunately, cute little explorers are unaware of electrical dangers lurking in your house are often tempted them to pull or mouth everything in their reach.

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Even if they are conscious and look okay, it’s still important they get seen by a medical professional[/caption]

Electricity can cause shocks, burns and even lead to death.

So as well as child-proofing your home, it’s important you educate yourself on what to do when the worst happens.

Ross Smith, a former ambulance paramedic and founder of Safer Little Steps, recently took to TikTok to explain what to do if your child comes into contact with electricity.

In the clip, the expert said the first thing to do when s child has experienced a shock is to make sure the surrounding area is safe.

1. Switch off electricity at the mains

“If you know where you meter is go and switch it off the main power switch,” he said.

This is because your child may still have power running through them.

2. Move child away from electrical sources

He added: “If you don’t know where your switch is make sure you’re child isn’t touching anything electrical, including a power board (plug extender).

“And if they are, kick it away” he added.

Be aware your child could be attached to the plug extender through something else.

They might be holding something touching the extender that conducts electricity, like a wet rag or a metal fork.

3. Put child onto something non-conductive, like wood or plastic

Once you’ve pushed the object away, make sure to move the child onto something non-conductive like a piece of wood or plastic to stop the electric current, the expert said.

4. Call 999

At this point, call for an ambulance and tell the call taker exactly whats going on, “such as if your child is not breathing or isn’t breathing normally”, Ross explained.

5. Begin CPR

If they are not breathing, or are unconscious you should begin CPR while your wait for help to arrive.

Even if they are conscious and look okay, it’s still very important they get seen by a medical professional.

“Sometimes, up to 24 hours after an electric shock a child can experience a life threatening heart rhythm issue (an arrhythmia),” he said.

An arrhythmia happens when the heart beats very fast or irregularly.

According to the NHS, they can cause cause problems such as fainting, stroke, heart attack, and even sudden death. 

6. Check for unusual markings

You should also be on the lookout for “hole” marks on their body.

“If you spot one, make sure you look at all your child’s limbs to find the other, or exit hole,” he explained.

“Not only can the electric shock travel through [the body] and cause a issue with their heart but the heat of electricity can burn their organs,” he added.

They could also have suffered a burn somewhere on their skin, so make sure you check their body for dark or red marks.

Minor electrical skin burns are treated like any other minor burn, the Mayo Clinic says.

Put a cool wet cloth on the area and do not break any blisters.

After you gently clean the skin put a bandage on the area.