Electric Injuries See Significant Drop Last Year

Last year, 12 children and 23 adults suffered electrical injuries. The youngest victim was less than a year and a half old, while one woman suffered a fatal injury. Compared to 2024, the number of electrical injuries suffered by children decreased slightly last year – 14 cases were recorded in 2024, but 12 last year. A more significant decrease was observed in the number of electrical injuries among adults – 23 cases were recorded last year compared to 36 the previous year. The number of fatal electrical injuries also decreased last year – one case was recorded compared to three in 2024. Half of the children who suffered electrical injuries last year were under the age of five, while the other half were teenagers. Electrical injuries to young children are still most often associated with freely accessible sockets – attempts to insert hairpins or other small objects or fingers into the socket, touching exposed parts (e.g., during home repairs), while teenagers often suffer electric shocks from damaged or uninsulated wires. For example, one teenager suffered an electric shock after touching bare electrical wires in a shed, another teenager received an electric shock from a damaged string of Christmas tree lights, and another teenager was injured at home after touching wires that had been chewed by a pet. Last year, a woman died after coming into contact with what was most likely a damaged light fixture. Other causes of electrical injuries to adults, similar to other years, are related to the use of damaged electrical appliances and carelessness or recklessness, for example, when repairing equipment that has not been disconnected from the power supply. The company reminded that, in accordance with fire safety regulations, every homeowner must have their electrical installation inspected at least once every 10 years by a qualified electrician. For additional safety, it is also important to install automatic circuit breakers in the property – this option should also be discussed with an electrician.