If you have an electric fly swatter then you might notice that it produces a zap that strikes flies and mosquitoes. If you put your finger on the net of the electric fly swatter while it is turned on, you may get also a shock!
Now, while researching about this, you might notice a report from Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2014 where they mentioned that a 31-year-old female got 15% burn by getting an electric shock from the electric fly swatter. Now, you might wonder if an electric fly swatter can really kill you.
The answer is simply “NO”. It’s because the above-mentioned report is an exceptional case and the lady maybe got an electric shock while charging the electric fly swatter to the wall outlet. But an electric fly swatter is completely safe for the human body. In this article, we’ll explain why can’t an electric fly swatter kill you and what type of damage you may get from this device. Let’s explore the below.
How Does An Electric Fly Swatter Work?
Before moving to the main point about whether an electric fly swatter can kill you or not, you need to understand the mechanism of an electric fly swatter. An electric fly swatter mainly contains a battery that passes current with a combination of high voltage and low ampere through the nets of the racket.
The negative current runs through the inner single net of the racket and the neutral current runs through the outer net. Now, when a fly enters into the racket it basically connects the positive and negative points. As a result, it gets an electric shock and dies. So, you won’t get any electric shock if you simply put your hand on the outer net while the switch is turned on.
Is An Electric Fly Swatter Safe For You?
According to scientific studies, there are no major public health risks of using an electric fly swatter. Most evidence says that these devices can deliver a small zap which is generally not powerful enough to cause major harm to humans. Electric fly swatters are typically a battery-powered grid. The zap produced by this device may be enough to kill or stun flies, but they aren’t very effective on human skins. However, as electricity is involved here, it’s safe to be cautious.
How Safe Is The Electric Fly Swatter To The Human Body?
Now, let’s explore how safe an electric fly swatter is to the human body: Do you know which one among Voltage (volts), Resistance (ohm), and Current (ampere) is dangerous? The most dangerous thing is Ampere. Ampere is the combination of voltage and resistance. For this, even 4000 volts can’t harm you if there is no resistance. Again, 1 milliampere can shock you but it won’t be painful until 10 mA.
Around 100 to 200 mA is deadly to humans. 50V/500ohms = 100 milliampere. An electric fly swatter may contain 500 to 3000 volts but has a very low resistance (around 0.8 ohms to 2 ohms). As a result, it produces a current that is less than 5 milliamperes. For this, you may notice a tiny zap but it is completely safe for the human body.
Opinion From An Expert
An electrical engineer named Dr. Emily Fields said – “Electric fly swatters usually operate at low voltages, so the risk of severe electric shock is minimal. However, it’s always good to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe operation.” Now, let’s learn what will happen if you are struck by the zep of an electric fly swatter. What Happens If You Get Shocked By An Electric Fly Swatter? Here are the scenarios that will possibly happen if you get shocked by an electric fly swatter:
1. Minor Shock: You will get a quick and sharp tingle the moment you are struck by the zap. It will give you a mild electric shock but it isn’t painful usually.
2. Minor Burn: If you make direct contact with the electrified grid for an extended period, you may get red marks like a minor static shock on your skin.
However, it is always safe to be cautious during insect-hunting adventures. What Safety Measures You Should Follow While Using Electric Fly Swatter? Here are the safety tips that everyone should follow while using an electric fly swatter:
1.Keep the device in a place where your kids can’t access it.
2.Keep the device away from your pets.
3.Do not touch the grid while the switch is turned on.
4.Keep your face and eyes away from the device.
5.Always read the manual of how to use and safety features before using the device.
Conclusion
To conclude, an electric fly swatter doesn’t have enough current to kill humans. You may get a minor electrical shock from it but it won’t hurt much. However, it is always safe to follow safety measures to prevent risks. We hope you’ve found this article helpful in getting the answer to your question. Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers (Faqs)
1.Can An Electric Fly Swatter Burn You?
No, an electric fly swatter does not have enough electricity to burn human skin at a glance. However, if the electric fly swatter is pressed against your skin while it is turned for a long period, the zaps can burn and make your skin red. But it won’t be a minor burn.
2.How Many Volts And Amps Kill?
Volt can’t kill humans but amps can. Ampere or Current = Voltage / Resistance. 0.1A of current can stop the beating heart of humans. To produce 0.1A, it will require 50V/500ohms.