When electrical shock results in death it is called electrocution; non-fatal exposure, however, is called electric shock. All levels of electrical exposure can cause severe injuries. The severity of the injuries depend on the intensity of the electrical current and the duration of exposure.

The number of accidents involving electrocution as a result of defective consumer products has decreased steadily since 1994, but even so, 40 percent of all electrocution deaths that occur in the country take place because of defective household appliances and electronics, or other consumer products. Injury to the heart, organ damage and internal or external burns are usually cause of death in these situations.

Sources of Electrocution in the Home

• 19 percent of all electrocutions in the US are caused by large appliances like washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, electric cooking ranges, air conditioners and pool pumps.  Exposed wiring is, reportedly, the leading cause of electrocution in this category of deaths.
• Gardening equipment like lawn blowers and weed eaters is next on the list, counting for almost 7 percent of all electrocutions.
• Lighting equipment like lighting fixtures, bulbs, lamps, etc. is responsible for 6 percent of all electrocutions.
• Smaller household appliances like microwave ovens, toasters, irons, hair dryers and other equipment cause 4 percent of deaths due to electrocution.

 Signs of Electrocution

• There may be burns in the area where the electrical current passed through the body.
• The person may experience pain and tingling.
• There may be blurred vision or difficulty seeing.
• There may be paralysis of the muscles.
• The person may be disoriented and talk incoherently.
• There may be seizures or respiratory arrest.
• The person may experience chest pain.
• The heart beat may become irregular.
• The pulse may become weak or irregular.
• Blood pressure may either become extremely elevated or drop to low levels.
• Muscular contractions from the electrical current may cause the person to be thrown away from the point of contact.  This can result in fractures and head injuries when.
• There may be hemorrhage of the brain or of other organs in the body.