Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) urges the public to take the following safety steps in the event of an electric shock. While not all electrical contact causes visible injury, even brief contact with high-voltage electricity can result in serious internal damage.
1. Consider the Voltage
Low-voltage electricity, such as that of an electrical outlet, poses less risk but can still be harmful. High-voltage electricity—anything more than 500 volts, such as that of a power line—can cause major internal damage and always requires emergency medical attention.
2. Decide What Kind of Treatment is Needed
High-voltage shock victims should always seek emergency care, even if there are no visible injuries. For low-voltage shocks, seek medical attention if there are burns or symptoms include numbness, tingling, confusion, unconsciousness, or problems breathing, hearing, seeing, or speaking.
3. Prevent Further Injury
If there is a serious burn, cover it with a clean cloth. Do not apply ice or cold water, and do not try to remove clothing or clean the burn as this can further damage the skin.
The following YouTube video from MEC Safety Director Evan is available to share (click here).
As an electric cooperative, MEC takes electrical safety seriously. We offer free electric safety demonstrations for schools and community organizations in our electric service areas. These demos help participants learn how to stay safe around electricity and what to do in dangerous situations.
More information is available here. To schedule a demo, call 800.492.5989 or email pr@teammidwest.com.