More and more people need hospital care after electrical accidents • Men and small children the worst affected
Almost a year ago, Rolf Andersson was involved in a serious electrical accident. He worked in a mid -voltage switchgear where he happened to bump into a door that caused an electric wire to release and he got power through his body.
– When I followed the thread up, I got stream in my right thumb, which went on to my left hand, I tipped off and hit my back, says Rolf Andersson.
More visits hospitals
Between 2020 and 2023, the number of people – both professionals and private individuals – who have visited the health care after an electrical accident has increased, according to a recent report from the Swedish Electricity Safety Agency.
– With the electrification we see in society, the increase may not be as large as we were afraid of, but at the same time we must continue to follow the technological development in order to prevent people from suffering from electrical accidents, says Per Höjevik, investigator at the Swedish Electricity Safety Agency.
Most men are affected
Most affected by electricity accidents are men in their 20s, which may be because most electricians are men. Among children, most young children between zero and two years are involved in electricity accidents.
The advice from the Swedish Electricity Safety Agency to avoid getting power in the body is, among other things, to buy safe electricity products, installing earth fault switches and child -safe home.
– Small children are curious so they want to investigate everything around them, poke in wall sockets and bite cords, it is important to find out if there are safety risks in the home, says Per Höjevik.
Dangerous with home fixer
– Then we have a problem with home fixers, those who screws and connect themselves at home. If you do not know what you are doing, it can be really dangerous, he says.
Rolf managed without injury, even the heart was unaffected. But of course he is extra careful now after what has happened.
– Yes, it will be. By doing 1,000 volts plus all the time, and it is so that you only get one chance, says Rolf.