The tragic death of a two-year-old boy who lost his life after being electrocuted has prompted a call from Samoa Police for plug safety awareness in homes.
When his mother found him, the young boy was shaking near a wall plug of their home, and still holding a wire suspected to be a phone charger, said Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga.
“From our preliminary investigations it is suspected that the two year old inserted the wire into a live the wall socket,” said Leiataua.
The incident happened at their home in Gagaifo Lefaga. The baby’s mom was at the back kitchen making dinner and the toddler was inside the house with his grandpa, his father’s dad.
His Mom heard a gagging sound and ran in to find her son had been electrocuted, and still holding the wire. She called their nearby families for help and the boy was rushed to Saanapu District Hospital but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The young boy is the second of his parents’ three children. He would have turned 3 in two weeks time.
Police have called for plug safety awareness in homes following the tragedy.
“Young children, especially toddlers, are most vulnerable because they are curious,” says the Acting Commissioner.
Electric Shock in Children
Children are more likely to experience low voltage electric shock, between 110 to 120-volts, from typical household current. Household appliances, electrical cords, and extension cords are the source of most electric shock incidents in children under twelve.
Young children experience electric shock most often when they bite into electrical cords or poke metal objects such as forks or knives into unprotected outlets or appliances.
“As we head into the festive season, we urge parents to ensure their homes are child proof. Check for any danger that children may reach or access around the home.”
Prevention
Use outlet covers: Place safety covers over unused electrical outlets to prevent children from inserting their fingers or objects into them.
Keep cords out of reach: Keep appliance cords and charging cables out of the reach of children and unplug them when not in use.
Keep Phone Chargers out of reach: With the wide coverage of mobile phones in Samoa, there are multiple phone owners in every home. So mobiles are being charged in homes and there are mobile phone chargers lying around in every household in Samoa.
Avoid water and electricity: Never use electrical appliances when your child is in the bath or when they are wet.
Secure appliances: Keep appliance cords out of the reach of children, especially those connected to hot items such as kettles, irons, hair straighteners or hairdryers.
Unplug devices: Always unplug appliances like irons or hair straighteners when not in use. Do not leave appliances like kettles washing machines or dryers running when you are not home or when the child is in a risky area.
Electrocution by a plug is a serious risk because even domestic voltage can cause fatal injury, and a person can be killed by contact with the plug or cord if it is damaged or incorrectly wired.
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