An electric shock can range from a harmless tingle to a life-threatening injury — and the right first response can make a real difference. This is clear, practical guidance on what to do if someone gets a shock at home, what not to do, and when a “minor” shock still needs medical attention.

This is general first-aid information, not a substitute for proper first-aid training or professional medical advice. In an emergency, always call 999.

First: don’t become the second casualty

The most important rule is also the most counter-intuitive: do not touch a person who is still in contact with the electrical source. If they’re still connected to live current, touching them means it passes through you too. Before anything else, break the contact.

How to break contact safely

• Switch off the power at the main switch on the consumer unit, or unplug the appliance, if you can reach it safely. This is the best option.
• If you can’t switch it off, stand on something dry and insulating (a rubber mat, a pile of newspaper, a wooden board) and use a non-conductive object — a wooden broom handle, a wooden chair, a thick dry towel — to push the person away from the source.
• Never use anything metal or wet, and never touch the person directly until contact is broken.

Call 999 if…

Call an ambulance immediately if the person:

• Is unconscious or not breathing normally
• Has a burn, or there’s been a high-voltage shock
• Has chest pain, palpitations, or an irregular heartbeat
• Is confused, dizzy, or having muscle pain or spasms
• Was shocked while wet, or the shock came from mains voltage and they don’t feel completely fine

When in doubt, call. Electrical injuries can affect the heart in ways that aren’t visible.

Once contact is broken

• If they’re not breathing, start CPR and keep going until help arrives (use chest compressions; follow 999 operator guidance).
• If they’re breathing but unresponsive, place them in the recovery position.
• Cool any burns with cool running water for at least 20 minutes; don’t apply creams or burst blisters. Cover loosely with cling film or a clean non-fluffy cloth.
• Keep them warm and reassured and monitor them until help arrives.

Don’t dismiss a “minor” shock

Even a shock that seems mild can have delayed effects. Watch for these in the hours afterwards and seek medical advice if they appear:

• Chest pain or an irregular heartbeat
• Numbness, tingling, or muscle pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Burns (including small entry/exit marks)

A mains-voltage shock that passed across the body (hand to hand, or hand to foot) is more concerning than a brief static-like zap, because of the path near the heart. If in any doubt, get checked.

After the immediate danger: find the cause

A shock from an appliance, socket, or tap is a clear sign something is wrong with the electrics — a fault, missing earth, or failed insulation. Don’t use the appliance or circuit again until it’s been checked. The fact you got a shock often means your installation lacks adequate RCD protection, which would normally cut the power before a shock becomes dangerous. Our RCD vs RCBO guide explains this protection.

Get the fault fixed

Once everyone’s safe, get the cause investigated by a registered electrician — a shock is a fault that will likely happen again. GFL Electrical carry out fault-finding and safety inspections across East London, including upgrading older boards to provide proper RCD protection. For an urgent fault, see our emergency electrician service or call 020 3774 5604.