Electric shocks and burns

Electric shocks are caused by contact with live electricity that sends an electric current through your body. An electric shock can cause a burn. The burn might be where the electricity entered or exited your body.

Sometimes an electric shock only causes a fright and some pain. But sometimes it can be severe enough to knock you unconscious (make you pass out) and stop your heart. The severity depends on the voltage, the type of current and whether the current impacts your heart.

Most electric shocks do not cause an injury to your body.

The signs and symptoms of an electric shock depend on how strong the current was, how long the contact with electricity lasted and your overall health.

Symptoms of an electric shock can be:

• skin or tissue burns — most likely where the electricity went in or out
• difficulty breathing or not breathing
• a weak, fast or unsteady pulse (heartbeat) or no pulse at all
• low blood pressure
• cardiac arrest (heart stops beating)
• loss of consciousness, confusion or difficulty with movement
• broken bones or muscle pain

Some injuries from an electric shock are not visible (you can't see them).

An electric shock can be life-threatening. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if someone has had an electric shock and:

• lost consciousness (passed out) even for a second
• they are breathing very fast or very slow
• their heartbeat is very fast, or very slow, or irregular
• have fallen from above the ground

If the shock seemed mild and did not result in one of the problems listed above, you should still see a doctor. It's important to get your heart checked after any electric shock.

Even if you cannot see a physical injury, an electric shock might have caused damage inside your body.

Causes include:

• exposed electrical wires
• water on electrical appliances
• cutting through a live cable
• old wiring
• faulty appliances
• fires that start due to electrical sparks

You have a greater chance of an electric shock when you are using an appliance:

• outdoors
• somewhere wet
• in a cramped space
• with an extension lead

Young children can be at risk of electric shocks. They are more likely to play with or chew on electrical cords. Children sometimes insert objects into household electrical outlets.

Electric shocks are rarely caused by lightning.

An electric shock can damage your:

• nerves
• heart
• breathing
• blood vessels
• kidneys

In the hospital emergency department, doctors will run tests to check what kind of injuries and damage you have.

Most people with an electric shock or burn will be able to go home. You may need pain relief medicines. Others will need to be treated in hospital.

Hospital treatment can include:

• monitoring and treatment for heart rhythm changes
• burn care
• fluids through a drip
• setting broken bones
• care of head injuries and nervous system damage

If you have had an electric shock, you should visit the emergency department or see a doctor as soon as possible to check for ongoing effects.

An electric shock may make you stop breathing. If you stop breathing your body will not have enough oxygen. This can lead to organ damage.

If the electric shock made you fall, you may have a fracture (broken bone).

Another complication of an electrical injury is infection. Infections can stop an electrical burn from healing properly.

An electric shock can damage your brain or nervous system. If that happens you might get seizures, depression, anxiety or personality changes.

Damage to your blood vessels or kidneys can also lead to serious complications.

Up to 4 in every 10 people who are struck by lightning die from their injuries.

Make sure young children are supervised near electricity.

You can keep your home safe by installing safety switches and having them tested regularly. Make sure you get any damaged power points or switches repaired.

Always use a licensed electrician for electrical work.

Avoid overloading your power sockets.

Never use a power tool, appliance or electric lead that you know is faulty or has a frayed cord. Avoid using electrical appliances in wet areas or near pools.

At work, make sure all electrical equipment is regularly inspected, tested and tagged. For more information, visit Safe Work Australia (Opens in new tab).

If you are unsure that electrical equipment is safe, have it checked before you use it.

Learn how to stay safe from lightning during a storm (Opens in new tab).

Go to the St John Ambulance (Opens in new tab) website for more information about the first aid management of electric shocks (Opens in new tab).

Information about prevention of electric shocks in the home (Opens in new tab) is available from the Electrical Safety Office Queensland.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.