Prevention of accidents due to electric appliances has
been explored under the chapter on PREVENTION OF
ACCIDENTS. Here we shall deal with what to do in case an
accident does take place.
MANAGEMENT:
Step
1: Switch off
the power or pull out the plug. If this is not possible, remove the wire
from the child with any piece of wood. If that is not handy,
roll up a magazine or use a jacket or a rope. Never use your
bare hands.
Step 2:
If the child is alert and has no burns, just hug him.
Step 3:
If burns are visible, visit your doctor to have the wounds dressed and also to rule out
damage to any
internal organs.
Step 4:
In case of severe burns or damage to the organs, the child may need to be
hospitalised.
Step 5:
In extreme cases, the child can have cardiopulmonary arrest. His heart stops beating
and the child stops breathing. In that case, do not waste a moment. Start
mouthto-mouth breathing discussed under that heading.
Step 6:
Some children can get severe convulsions with resultant injuries, including fracture of
the spine.
Such children should be handled carefully and shifted to the hospital under careful
medical supervision.
