Electrical/Static Shock

[Tumbleweed]

I started a new thread because I was taking one topic off track.
I always wondered why I get shocked and shock other people with much more intensity than other people. No it isn't my imagination because everyone comments on how strong the shock was when I touched them and I also know how it felt painful when I was shocked from touching something. Not huge pain but a pain-like ache that affects my arm/hand used to touch certain objects. (Mind you I have a high tolerance for pain.)

So far I found out that I am not a good conductor of electricity, which was the opposite of my thinking, but it makes sense. If I am not a good conductor of electricity then the electons build up.

So I'm searching as to the causes of why I'm so weird.

So far I found out that dry skin is not a good conductor of electricity. O.K. So I smoke and that is known to dry out skin. I have always had to pile on the lotion because my skin is so dry so this makes sense so far.

Of course there is the dry air that is common in the winter causing most people to run into a little static shock here and there.

There are clothes that we wear the builds up the electrons that attach to our bodies - ya know the regular walking with socks on across carpet type thing. Wearing nylon clothes. Those are normal things that build up electrons.

So I'm still searching for more answers. Will update as I find out things but I do think it is important for those who may attempt an electrical job or for those filling up their gas tanks in the winter to get a grasp on what is causing them to get more shock than the average bear.

[Tumbleweed]

Heh, heh. I just had to add, my Mom and I have a ritual of having a couple Hershey kisses after dinner/supper. Since I would shock her so bad I got into the habit of dropping the kisses into her open palm. Sometimes I got a little too close and still zapped her even though I was a few inches away from her hand.

Yum....now I'm hungry for some kisses.

[barb]

When I was a kid my brother and I would skate around on our sock feet to build up static and then touch each other. We used to think that was so much fun. I miss those innocent, goofy days sometimes.

Try putting a metal vase or ornament in your Mom's room and discharging extra static into by touching it before you touch your mom.

[Tumbleweed]

Yes, we used to do that too when I was a kid. That and rubbing balloons on our heads to make our hair stand up.

By the way I do try to touch something metal before I touch people but I'd be having to touch something every 5 minutes and I just plain forget sometimes.

Maybe I scruffle my feet too much when I walk. Is scruffle a word? You know what I mean, I hope.

[barb]

Its a word now! If it wasn't before, you just coined a new one.

[Nigel]

OK JJ, I have the answer to your dilemma. Go to an auto parts store and tell them you want a pair of those static discharge straps that attach to the bumper of the car. When you get home just attach them to the back of your shoes & problem solved . . . .

You have to think Way Outside the BoX sometimes . . . LoL

[Tumbleweed]

I've never heard of that, Nigel. For bumpers of you car? I didn't know they make that but what a great idea (for cars)! But I wonder how attractive they'll look with my high heels.

[barb]

I decided to look up grounding strips and lo and behold! They make grounding bracelets for people.

I think you would look gorgeous in one Tumbleweed. It should look especially beautiful on you when you are all dressed up and going out to a fancy function.


Isn't it the loveliest piece of jewelry you have ever seen!

Seriously, I did find that an ionizer air cleaner helps to cut down on the static in the air. I don't know whether that would reduce what you experience or not but maybe you could ask your dr sometime.

Something else I found was interesting was that our computers attract ions like a magnet so there is even more static around them.

[Tumbleweed]

Those are quite lovely. I wonder if you have to go to a fine jewelry store to get them. Probably want thousands of dollar for them.

[Tumbleweed]

Oh, I did know that about computers. I have to be very careful to touch metal before I touch my lap top, especially. One of these days I just may forget and zap my hard drive.

[barb]

That would drive me nuts. I would probably be zapping things right and left.

[Nigel]

Oh JJ I think you should get one of those grounding braclets, what's more important, your health/sanity or how you look ?

[misty]

I don't get the part about touching metal first....I'm also one of those people that shock everyone & when I go to the grocery store I look insane because EVERY one of those metal freezer doors shocks the crap out of me! I hate it.

[Tumbleweed]

Well, the only reason you touch metal is to discharge your body, so you don't blow up your gas tank or shock people. If you touch metal often you won't get shocked nearly as bad but do you think I can think to do that? NOOOO. The only time I do is for my Mom's sake (at least I try) because I'm always doing things for her and I think she gets sick of being zapped and when I fill my car with gas.

By the way, the humidity was 70 in the house until I brought the dehumidifier up (for my Mom's breathing) and I was still getting zapped but not as bad. Thank goodness I live in humid NE.

[Tumbleweed]

It's that time of the season again. Zap, zap, zap. I really do think I'll get one of those bracelets.