Shock from Nightlight!

Updated on March 16, 2010
R.M. asks from Evanston, IL
5 answers

My 19 m/o daughter just grabbed an LED nightlight out of the wall and when it was halfway out it shocked her. She just pulled her hand back and said "ow" and kind of whined a little but didn't really cry. I messed around with the nightlight putting my own finger in it (in between the outlet and the prongs while it was partially plugged in) to try to see what kind of shock she may have sustained and it does in fact generate a moderate "buzz" along with being very hot very quickly. Kind of like if you put your tongue on a square battery but with heat as well. I tried to call the ped. but for whatever reason they are not answering the phone and their vm picks up, which I know they are horrible about returning. I am worried that an electrical current could have gone through her body and damaged something due to reading about electric shock on the internet. Is this something that could happen from an outlet/nightlight or would it have to be something more substantial to cause damage? She is acting completely normal, not crying/cranky or anything like that. I am freaking out, this is something I have never dealt with. Thanks mamas!

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So What Happened?

Thank you guys! :) I love and hate the internet all at the same time... I always manage to freak myself out! Yes, those nightlights are going in the TRASH...they are the LED Cars Lightening McQueen ones that change colors from Target (in case anyone else has them) The shock can be induced very easily actually. I know the nightlight shouldn't have been plugged in while she was playing in there anyway but she has never even shown interest in messing with it before. Thanks again to all who responded :)

More Answers

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Aww you're so cute. Don't believe everything you read ;) Home electric outlets are made to give you a slight pop (what you felt), but can't do any real damage, not with they way you're decribing how this happened. Even if you were to stick a key in the socket (DO NOT try this) you'll give yourself a pretty healthy zap, but the fuse will trip and disconnect power before any real damage is done. Even if you were screwing around with a live wire while rewiring something, you'll just zap yourself pretty good. The only real, fatal danger in electricity is if you're screwing around with any kind of voltage used to support things like your AC, stove, fridge... stuff like that. Your daughter is fine :) I would toss the nightlight though, because that shouldn't happen!

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B.B.

answers from Detroit on

In order to cause damage enough to worry about she would have had to been in contact with the "shock" for more than an "ouch"... She would have been crying, or passed out.

Growing up on a farm with electric fences and shockers I can say that I've had my fair share of jolts...

Calm down and don't worry about it... The wiring in a house would help prevent any MAJOR shocking... As long as your wiring/ breaker system is up to code you should not have enough voltage or amps running thru the wires at any one time to cook your innards in a second.

M.S.

answers from Columbus on

That had to be scary! I would definitely still try to get ahold of the pediatrician, but I think that it would take more of a shock to do any damage. My husband nearly electrocuted himself trying to fix the electric fence that surrounds the horse pasture. He was actually knocked out. Aside froma metallic taste in his mouth, he had no damage.(I tell him he DEFINITELY had brain damage, but only as a joke). I know he is an adult, but our kids have gotten shocked by the electric fence that puts out much more of a charge than an outlet, and never had anything more than a damaged pride. My brother as a child, cut an electrical cord with metal scissors, which burned an actual hole in the scissors and lived to tell about it. As long as there's no mark where she was shocked, I thinking everything is ok. Good luck reaching the pediatrician!

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D.M.

answers from Denver on

My kids, as many also play with them. So I found some rechargable ones at Target that don't plug in and I LOVE them... check it out.
http://milo.com/circo-bear-led-nightlight

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Is there a mark on her hand where it shocked her? If she seems normal, try to remain calm until you can get in touch with the ped office.

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