Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: How to protect yourself and your loved ones from electric shock at home
• Method 2 of 3: Avoiding Electric Shock at Work
• Method 3 of 3: Avoiding being struck by lightning
• Tips
• Warnings

The danger of receiving an electric shock has existed for thousands of years, first in the form of a lightning strike, then due to the careless use of electrical appliances at home or at work. In this article, you will find how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dire consequences of receiving an electric shock.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: How to protect yourself and your loved ones from electric shock at home

1. 1 First, you should familiarize yourself with the principle of action of electric current, because knowledge is power.
   • Simply put, electric current is always trying to find any way to penetrate the ground through electrical conductors.
   • Some components, such as wood and glass, do not conduct electricity very well, unlike metal or water substances. The human body also has the ability to conduct electricity, and an electric shock occurs just when the electric current passes through the human body.
   • This most often happens when a person touches a direct source of electricity. The flow of electricity is also able to reach the human body through conductors such as water and metal.
   • Open a physics textbook or talk to an electrician for more details on how electricity works.
2. 2 Study the electrical appliances in your home. Check out the type of circuit breakers, traffic jams and even bulbs that will meet the safety requirements of your living space. The use of unsuitable components in the electrical circuit can cause fires or malfunctions of electrical appliances.
3. 3 Cover the outlets. If you have children in your house, be sure to cover the outlets with panels from the wall, which will prevent curious children's fingers from getting into trouble.
4. 4 Install VKZZ (earth short circuit breaker) in your home. This device is capable of detecting violations of the electrical flow and stop supplying energy to the electrical appliance. Some new buildings are equipped with this device, but you can also install it in your old house.
5. 5 Store electrical appliances away from water. Water and electricity pose a very big threat to people around them to such an extent that even a little moisture on an electrical appliance can injure a person.
   • Never use any electrical appliance while taking a bath or shower.
   • If your toaster or any other electrical appliance is near the kitchen sink, never turn on that appliance and the water at the same time. Unplug this appliance from the outlet when not in use. Always make sure that the surface of the table on which the appliance is located is dry.
   • Store outdoor electrical equipment in a dry and rain-protected place.
   • If the switched on electrical appliance falls into the water, then in no case try to get it out of there without first turning off the corresponding power source. When the damaged appliance is dry, consult an electrician about the continued use of this equipment.
6. 6 Always change old and worn out electrical appliances. Pay attention to the condition of your electrical equipment and keep it in safe working order at all times. And here are the following signs of problems with electrical devices:
   • Sparks
   • Creation of small electric shocks;
   • Frayed or damaged wires;
   • Outgoing heat from the power supply;
   • Periodic closures.

The above has only been a general list of possible defects, so if you notice anything suspicious, be sure to consult an electrician before using this appliance any further.

Method 2 of 3: Avoiding Electric Shock at Work

1. 1 Inspect the equipment for breakdowns and malfunctions. Follow the safety guidelines for your equipment.
2. 2 Wear protective equipment. Rubber-soled shoes and non-conductive gloves will provide the necessary barrier to current flow into your body. You can also place a rubber mat on the floor.
3. 3 Be careful when using electrical equipment. Make sure this appliance is turned off before plugging in the power cord. Always keep electrical appliances away from water, flammable materials, vapors and solvents, especially when you are directly using this appliance.
4. 4 Let professionals cope with particularly hazardous and unpredictable jobs with complex electrical appliances.

Method 3 of 3: Avoiding being struck by lightning

1. 1 Please read the weather forecast carefully. The safest way to avoid a lightning strike is to wait out the inclement weather in your home or any other safe place. The weather tends to change unexpectedly, so consider your picnic or hike in the forest for safety in the event of a thunderstorm.
2. 2 Watch for signs of an upcoming rainstorm. Pay attention to changes in air temperature, darkening of clouds, increased wind, and the like. Listen for a thunderstorm.
3. 3 Find a shelter. If you are out in nature and a thunderstorm is overtaking you, try to find a building with electrical and plumbing infrastructure, such as a residential building, cafe, restaurant or supermarket. If you do not see anything like this nearby, then hide in the car and close all doors and windows. Gazebos, tents and other dilapidated structures are not able to protect you from lightning strikes. If you cannot locate a safe shelter structure, follow these precautions:
   • Stay as low as possible;
   • Avoid open spaces;
   • Avoid touching water and metal;
4. 4 Wait. Do not leave your safe hiding place, whether inside or outside, for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.

Tips

• Never touch bare wires, as they may conduct electricity at this moment.
• Do not reboot outlets by using power strips or extension cords with a large number of auxiliary outputs, which could cause a short circuit or fire.
• Use a ground connection whenever possible, which will direct the electrical current to the ground and not to someone else.
• Keep a hand held carbon dioxide fire extinguisher near you in case the appliance catches fire.
• Never hope that someone else has turned off the appliance, always check everything yourself.
• Never play independently with the thermostat.

Warnings

• No matter how many precautions have been taken, use extreme caution when rescuing someone who is being exposed to an electrical shock.
• Always call ambulance and fire brigade in case of an electrical emergency.
• Never touch an electric shock victim with bare hands without protective rubber gloves.
• Turn off the electricity source, if at all possible. If not, use a non-conductive object to move the victim away from the electricity source.
• Check if the victim is breathing at all. If not, then urgently inform people who have the ability to provide artificial respiration, or do this procedure yourself, if you know how.
• Place the victim's body in a horizontal position and lift his legs slightly.
• Wait for an ambulance.