What to Do If You Get Electrocuted by an Outlet

What to Do If You Get Electrocuted by an Outlet

Electrical shock from an outlet ranges from a brief, harmless sensation to a life-threatening injury depending on the current path, duration, and voltage. Even a shock that feels minor requires assessment — the internal effects of electrical current are not always visible or immediately felt.

Immediate Actions

• Release contact with the outlet or device if you have not already — do not grab the person or object if someone else is still in contact with the current source, as you will become part of the circuit
• If someone else is being shocked, turn off the breaker or pull the plug from a different outlet before touching them
• Call 911 if the shock caused the person to fall, lose consciousness, experience muscle spasms, or show any signs of burns, confusion, or irregular heartbeat
• Do not assume a shock is harmless because the person appears uninjured — cardiac arrhythmia can develop hours after an electrical shock

Seek Medical Evaluation

Any shock that passed through the torso, caused muscle contraction, produced burns at the entry or exit point, or resulted in any loss of awareness requires emergency medical evaluation. Electrical current passing through the chest can disrupt heart rhythm even when the external injury appears minor. Inform emergency personnel that the injury was caused by household current (120V) and describe the approximate duration of contact.

After Medical Clearance: Fix the Outlet

An outlet that delivers a shock has a wiring fault — normal outlets do not shock users unless a fault condition exists. Common causes include a reversed hot and neutral wire, a loose connection creating a voltage difference on the outlet face, a missing ground, or a damaged device that is back-feeding voltage to the plug. EZSMART diagnoses and repairs faulty outlets across Ontario. Do not use the outlet again until it has been inspected and repaired by a licensed electrician.

Amir Azimipour

Electrician Since 2008 Journeyman Electrician Designated Master Electrician at EZSMART Corp