Three deaths a year from electrocution at home

Old electrical installations, temporary installations and amateur installations are dangerous: every year, three to four people in Switzerland die at home due to fatal electric shocks. Even 50 mA of current can be fatal.

The Swiss Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations (ESTI) therefore calls on homeowners to have electrical installations checked regularly by specialists and, if necessary, to commission retrofits.

Furthermore, laypersons should not carry out any work on electrical installations and appliances themselves. For simple operations such as changing a lamp, the power supply must be disconnected and the absence of voltage checked. In general, bare wires and live parts should not be touched.

Should an accident nevertheless occur, a doctor or hospital must be consulted and the personal injury reported to the ESTI. The latter will clarify the causes and, if necessary, initiate measures to prevent future accidents.