Image credit: Vic Brincat / CC BY 2.0As summer approaches and preparations are being made for spending time at pools and lakes, one detail is often overlooked: electrical safety.

Depending on current level, an alternating current of electricity running through a pool or lake could result in tingling, paralysis or cardiac arrest resulting in electrocution or electric shock drowning.

According to Donald Burke, Ph.D., director of UAB's Advanced Safety and Engineering Management concentration in the Master of Engineering Program, "Electric shock drowning can occur in any fresh body of water, and anywhere you may have an electrical device that has faulty or damaged wiring, and equipment can cause the body of water to become energized," Burke said. "Then, when the human body comes into contact with that energized body of water, it overwhelms our body's natural electrical signals that control our muscles."

To lessen the risk of electric shock drowning, adding electricity to structures close to water should always result in vigilant testing.

"Most importantly, you want to be sure you hire a certified electrician who is certified to American Boat and Yacht Council standards and who will know how to install all the wiring to code," Burke said. "You should also work with your certified electrician to add devices that will lessen the likelihood of electric shock."

There are a variety of things to keep in mind about pools, according to Burke.

"With pools, you again need to make sure that a certified electrician is performing the inspections and maintenance on your electrical components—pool lighting, pool pumps—any of those devices could lead to electric shock if not properly installed and repaired," Burke said. "Remember that a pool technician may not necessarily be a certified electrician."

"You can check yourself to see if there's any wear and tear along the bonding of the pool," Burke said. "But the best thing, again, is to make sure a certified electrician is coming out and doing regular checks, whether the pool is in your backyard, or you're a member of a community pool."

There are a number of things to keep in mind when it comes to going to the lake this year as well. For 2017, there are new standards for electrical safety components required in all new boats and new dock construction.

The new requirements include a Ground-fault Circuit Interrupter, which shuts off the electricity if a current difference is detected in the water, and an Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter, which shuts off the electricity if a current is coming from the boat.

"You want a certified electrician to inspect all of your electrical devices and wirings annually, at the minimum," Burke said. "Right now, at the beginning of the summer lake and pool season, is a great time to have your electrical systems inspected.