[Reading Science] Can Electric Shock Be Avoided on the Back of the Hand and Right Hand?

Aren't you feeling uneasy? There have been many accidents where children insert objects into electrical outlets or put phone chargers in their mouths and get electrocuted.
[Photo by YouTube screenshot]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Electric shock accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. It is especially important to be cautious when using electrical appliances in a bathroom where there is moisture. When handling electrical devices that pose a risk of electric shock, it is safer to wear dry gloves or use objects that do not conduct electricity.

However, there may be situations where you have to touch electrical devices that could cause electric shock unconsciously or unintentionally. In such cases, it is advised not to touch with the palm but to lightly tap with the back of the hand first to check if electricity is flowing before using the device. Why is that?

It is good practice to lightly tap with the back of the hand before handling any electrical appliance or device. This can be understood by considering the structure of the hand. If electricity flows through the palm, the muscles automatically contract, causing the hand to clench into a fist unconsciously.

This means you end up gripping the electrified device even tighter when you should be letting go quickly. What could have been a brief shock can escalate into a serious burn injury.

On the other hand, if you lightly tap with the back of the hand, you might feel a brief unpleasant tingling, but your hand will naturally move away from the dangerous electrical device, helping you avoid a more serious situation.

The same applies when discovering someone who has suffered an electric shock. Usually, when you find a person who has collapsed from electric shock, you try to wake them by shaking them, but you must be careful not to let your palm touch the person first. Instead, touch lightly with the back of your hand before taking any action.

It is also much safer to use your right hand rather than your left hand. Since the human heart is located on the left side, the left hand is closer to the heart than the right hand. Therefore, if an electric shock occurs through the left hand, it is much more likely to affect the heart than if it occurs through the right hand.

It is safe to lightly touch the back of your right hand before using electrical appliances that may pose a risk of electric shock.
[Photo by YouTube screenshot]

Left-handed people often instinctively use their left hand first out of habit. Extra caution is needed in such cases. When touching electrical devices, make it a habit to tap first with the back of the hand and then use the right hand to handle the device.

Electric shock accidents happen in an instant. In a moment, you can suffer serious injury or, in severe cases, lose your life. Basic precautions include not touching electrical devices with wet hands, not plugging multiple plugs into one outlet, and not pulling on cords forcefully when unplugging devices.

Reports of electric shocks from everyday items like hair dryers or phone chargers are frequent. Accidents occur when using a hair dryer with moisture on it or when a young child puts a phone charger in their mouth and sucks on it. To prevent accidents, it is essential to never be careless and to make safety habits a part of daily life.