We’ve all been told not to wear earphones while our phones are charging, or touch electrical points with wet hands, as you can end up getting electrocuted.
Typically, incidents involving electric shocks occur at home, since we don’t usually go out bringing portable power stations in our bags.
But this story shows that it’s possible to get electric shocks anywhere, even when you’re retrieving a football from an outdoor fitness corner.
2 Teens Get Electric Shock From Lamp Post in Toa Payoh While Trying to Retrieve Football
This is exactly what happened to two teenagers in Toa Payoh recently.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the young teens were playing football next to the playground near the fitness corner just before the incident on Sunday (13 Jun).
At one point, the ball strayed and one of them went to retrieve it, but ended up getting a shock from the lamp post.
Then, when the other teen tried to save him, he received an electric shock as well. The father of one of the teens also helped, and managed to come out unharmed.
Speaking to The Straits Times, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call for assistance at 8:25pm on Sunday at Block 63 Toa Payoh Lorong 5.
Two people were sent to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), it added.
One was initially warded in the intensive care unit, but was later moved to a regular ward on Monday afternoon (14 Jun).
The other teen has been discharged.
No Such Incidents Reported Before in the Area; Town Council Investigating
The Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said it was informed about the incident by its essential maintenance services, adding that no such incidents were previously reported in the estate.
The offending lamp post was last checked by a licensed electrical worker earlier this year, it said.
The next inspection is due in July.
What’s more, town council officers also carry out monthly visual inspections to ensure that outdoor fittings are properly in place and will follow up with “defect rectification” where required, it said.
In addition, inspections are carried out every six months to ensure electrical installations are safe.
The town council is currently investigating the cause of the electric shock.
But while may not always be able to prevent such incidents from happening outside, but we can certainly do so at home.
Here are some tips to prevent electric shocks from occurring at home:
- Keep appliances away from moisture and water
- Check for improper or faulty wiring
- Fix extension cord problems
- Never use a defective electrical device
- Pull on the plug and not on the cable to unplug an electrical device
- Before changing a lightbulb, switch the light off or unplug the lamp
- Never leave your phone charging overnight, and don’t wear earphones plugged into your phone when it’s charging
Feature Image: Google Maps