It’s a scare the Morrow family in Louisiana will never forget. On Sunday, October 19, around 5 a.m., Lauren Morrow was awakened by the heartbreaking cries of her son, 9-year-old Ashtyn Pitts.
The child had just been electrified in his sleep: the metal rod of his tablet charger had touched the metal chain he wore around his neck.
Seized with violent tremors, Ashtyn had the saving reflex to free himself. Rushed to hospital, he suffered serious burns to his neck, where marks from his chain were embedded in the skin.
“I’m devastated because in reality, we could be planning my son’s funeral right now” confided his mother, upset.
Still hospitalized in intensive care in a specialized burn unit, the little boy is now out of danger. However, he will carry his scars for life.
A mother’s warning cry to prevent this risk
On Facebook, Lauren Morrow published the images of her son, hoping to avoid further drama. “Let this be a lesson to everyone: never sleep with a device charging in or near your bed. We could have lost our baby and our house.”.
His message was widely relayed in the United States, reigniting the debate on the domestic dangers linked to electronic devices left plugged in at night. In the event of overload, damaged cable or poor insulation, the risk of overheating and electrocution is very real.
© (Lauren Morrow/Facebook
The child was seriously burned on the neck and hand
Advice from Dr Gérald Kierzek to avoid electrification
For emergency physician Dr Gérald Kierzek, this story should remind us of simple but essential rules.
“You should never leave your phone or tablet charging all night. This can overheat, damage the battery or charger, and increase the risk of an incident.”
The doctor also emphasizes the importance of the equipment.
“Always check the condition of the charger, cable and plug. If the wire is frayed, deformed or exposed, it must be replaced immediately. You should also avoid uncertified or overloaded power strips: they can cause an overvoltage or a short circuit.”
Finally, he rightly recalls, “use only original chargers or those certified by the manufacturer, and never handle a plugged-in device in a humid environment.”
What to do in this type of situation?
Our expert also specifies the actions to adopt depending on the severity. “In the event of a small electric shock without visible burns or loss of consciousness, first turn off the power, inspect the contact area and watch for signs of pain or numbness. If the burn worsens or the person feels discomfort, seek medical attention quickly.”
And if the situation is serious, other reflexes must be immediate.
“Never touch the victim while he or she is still in contact with the electrical source. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker, call 15 or 18 and begin first aid if you are trained.”
Before concluding: “In the event of electrification, every minute counts. “It’s better to lose a device than to risk a life.”