AN ELECTRIC SHOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20716, 8 November 1930, Page 12

AN ELECTRIC SHOCK.

PAINFUL EXPERIENCE.

WOMAN'S HANDS BURNED

LIFTING A LOUD SPEAKER. A very severe electric shock was re cently suffered by an Auckland lady who attempted to lift (lie loud speaker of an electrified wireless set while the current was turned on. So strong was the. current that she was unable fo loosen her hold. Fler hands had a "fro/en grip." In torture sho writhed on the floor, but still had sufficient control over her faculties to endeavour to break the connection with her feet. Her cries were not immediately heard. When help arrived she gasped out, "Turn off the switch," and was then freed. In addition to severe nervous shock her hands were burned.

It had been her custom fo carry the loudspeaker while still connected with the current by a long insulated wire from the sitting room to a bedroom. Sho had done so hundreds of times since (he set, a largo one obtained several years ago, was electrified, and therefore had no fear of a short circuit occurring. It is not yet definitely known whether the house is in an alternating current or direct current area. The theory lias been made that possibly it was in the latter and that the machine might not be suitable for direct current. Whatever the cause the incident will place people on their guard against moving part of an electric wireless set before turning off the current.

A year or two ago another resident of Auckland received a severe shock through a loud-speaker that threw him violently across, the room. He strained some muscles in his fall and was laid up for two months. In this case, however, it tappeared that one of the. boys of the family had been playing with wire and had left it touching the eliminator, where the short circuit had been established.

Possibly slight electric shocks are common now that electricity is in domestic use. In one recent case the housewife, while engaged at the ironing board, touched the water tap with one of her hands. In another a woman who was wiping an electric stove with a damp cloth while the current was still on received a bad jolt. In view of these happenings the suggestion has been made that the power authorities should prepare a card giving clear instructions as to tho circumstances which create danger.