I was sitting upstairs on my bed, working on my computer, trying to figure out how to balance the checkbook when Riley came running past me.
"Hi, Mommy!" she giggled, and sat on the floor behind my computer, which resided at that moment on my bedside table. She often runs into the room - any room that I'm in - and hides behind furniture, in the corners, etc - so I didn't think too much of it. Most likely, one of the other kids would come in in just a few minutes, complaining about some affront or another.
I continued to work and listened to her sing a song about random miscellany, the way she usually does, until her song ground to a halt and I saw, from the corner of my eye, the biggest spark I'd ever seen, heard a sizzle, a pop and a snap. What-the-hell???
She started to cry and held up a tiny diary key - shown in the picture above, the small black key that was formerly a bright, shiny gold. When questioned, she admitted that she'd tried to slid the key in between the Kindle plug, which was plugged into the surge protector. The resultant shock had knocked her on her butt.
What if I hadn't been there? I mean, I was RIGHT THERE - maybe a foot away from her.
What if there had been no surge protector?
What if she hadn't been able to pull her hand away?
Oh, my gosh! I'm so glad she's okay. Whoa.
Posted by: Young Wife | February 15, 2010 at 02:50 PM
The surge protector would have occured in the circuit prior to the point of her entering it (ie - it was between her and the wall, not her and the kindle which is where it looks like she inserted herself).
People have pretty high resistance. I've been shocked quite a few times through standard power outlets. Big spark, lots of smoke, thankfully no damage. Now if she'd been using TWO hands that could have been a very, very different story. Not that she needs to know that.
Posted by: wookie | February 15, 2010 at 03:30 PM
I just heard a very similar story from a friend whose son did a little exploring in an outlet with a piece of metal! Blew out their GFI by the sink. Glad both kids are okay!
Posted by: BeeBelle | February 15, 2010 at 04:18 PM
Wow, that's so scary! I'm glad she's okay and that you had a surge protector. My dad swears by those.
Posted by: Bethany | February 15, 2010 at 05:03 PM
I did something similar when I was a kid, long before surge protectors...I wrapped wire around a plug, and for whatever reason plugged it in. I got knocked on my butt, too, but that was it...except for the long black mark up the wall.
Try not to dwell on it, seriously...99.9% chance the result would have been a crying kid on her butt no matter what.
Posted by: Thumper | February 15, 2010 at 05:56 PM
I am so glad you were there. How old is Riley? I'm glad God was there too.
Posted by: Debby Pucci | February 15, 2010 at 06:54 PM
Thank God she's OK!
Posted by: Karen | February 15, 2010 at 07:22 PM
So glad she is okay. Being shocked is a horrible feeling but thank god it wasn't worse. Your entry reminds me that I need to replace a broken outlet in my house.
Posted by: Megan | February 15, 2010 at 07:23 PM
holy Cats!!! I'm so very very glad she's ok!
Posted by: kyooty | February 15, 2010 at 08:22 PM
So scary! I am glad she is okay. She'll never forget it...we had an old fan when I was young and somehow got a shock from touching it. I can still feel it through my body if I think on it too much. Poor darlings - you and her! HUGS!
Posted by: elizabeth | February 15, 2010 at 10:44 PM
So glad she is okay. My oldest did that when he was very young...about 18mos old. Has been addicted to electricity ever since. My 2nd oldest cut the cord to my brand-new vacuum cleaner a few days after we go it. What did that send a blue spark into the air.
Posted by: Shelly | February 16, 2010 at 12:50 AM
Oh my goodness! I bet you are still shaking. So relieved she is OK. Hopefully that will be the first and last time she does anything like that!
Posted by: UKCraftySal | February 16, 2010 at 02:41 AM
OMG! OMG! OMG! I bet you're still shaking from it. Thank heaven she's okay.
Posted by: MamaCas | February 16, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Like everyone else, I am very glad that she is okay. I have also been a victim of electrical shock. Ugh not fun, and I think that the look of the damage makes it even worse, I know I felt eenworse everytime I would see the burnt wall. ugh!
Posted by: Jess | February 16, 2010 at 09:46 AM
That is so scary! My friend said she heard her toddler giggling behind her. One of those split second things. She looked over and he had a metal spoon in his hand and was touching it to the outlet. The wet diaper and the small bit of electricity "tingled." She covered every plug after that. Electricity is so scary!
Posted by: Katherine | February 16, 2010 at 04:33 PM
good
Posted by: mani | February 17, 2010 at 05:48 AM
So glad that she is okay and hope she won't try again!
Posted by: Deborah | February 17, 2010 at 11:42 AM
oh my gosh! I'm so glad she is OK!!!
Posted by: Vicky | February 17, 2010 at 09:08 PM