Question

select the correct answer.

michelle felt an electrical shock when she was ironing her clothes. what might have caused this to happen?

lack of safety covers on the electrical outlets
the iron having a faulty cord
not wearing shoes with rubber soles

Explanation:

Analyze the scenario

The scenario describes Michelle receiving an electrical shock while using an appliance (an iron). An electrical shock occurs when an electric current passes through the body, which typically happens if there is direct contact with an exposed live wire or a damaged electrical pathway on the appliance itself.

Evaluate the options

• lack of safety covers on the electrical outlets: Safety covers prevent children from inserting objects into outlets. Since the iron was already plugged in and being used, a lack of outlet covers would not cause a shock during active ironing.
• the iron having a faulty cord: A frayed, damaged, or faulty power cord can expose live electrical wires. If Michelle touched a damaged part of the cord while ironing, the current could travel into her body, causing an electrical shock. This is a direct and common cause of appliance-related shocks.
• not wearing shoes with rubber soles: While rubber soles act as insulators and can reduce the severity of a shock by preventing a path to the ground, not wearing them does not cause the shock itself. The source of the electrical hazard must still be present (such as a faulty appliance).

Connect to safety concepts

Using our understanding of Home Safety Measures, maintaining appliances and checking their power cords for damage is crucial to preventing electrical hazards and injuries in the household. A faulty cord is the direct hazard that allowed the electrical current to escape its intended path.

Answer:

• lack of safety covers on the electrical outlets
• the iron having a faulty cord (Correct answer)
• not wearing shoes with rubber soles