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Wiley Day, of Huntsville, Alabama, had gotten used to falling asleep with his phone placed next to him while the device was connected to its charger through an extension cord. On March 22, however, Day, would ultimately regret getting used to such routine. Day, 32 years old, found himself tangled in cords and distress that left him scarred for life.
According to the Washington Post, when Day woke up the next morning and rolled his body over, the dog-tag necklace he wore in bed caught on the exposed prongs of the charge head, which they found out had loosened itself up from the extension cord. The necklace then conducted electricity from the prongs and went straight to his neck.
Day told the Washington Post that the electrocution was “the eeriest, darkest, most demonic thing you could ever experience. I don’t have enough adjectives to describe it.”
Day found himself jolting from his bed to the floor. After a few seconds, he realized that his body and senses had stopped feeling anything.
Day said, “Your body is numb at that point. I guess people would think it would be burning, but in my case I felt a whole lot of pressure around my neck."
Day recalled how his vision started to blur and fade, then everything seemed to be drained out of color and left black and gray. He also recalled how he could his heartbeat thundering in his ear. He managed to take the necklace off of his neck.
Day said, “When I came to and figured out what happened, I literally stood straight up, and I said, 'Oh my God, I think I just got electrocuted.'”
Signs and marks of the burn imprinted on Day’s neck and bits on his hands. He was released from the hospital after three days in the hospital.
According to the American Burn Association, an average of 400 electrocution deaths and 4,400 injuries caused by electrical hazards happen each year in the United States. Although most of the cases happen in the workplace, ABA still cautions people to be careful of using appliances in households.
According to the organization’s website, "Hot plugs and sockets are often caused by deteriorated connections to the cord wires. Many older cords are made with small wire that can overheat easily. Check the temperature of extension cords when they are in use. If they are hot to the touch, disconnect the appliance."
After the horrifying incident, Day began charging his iPhone in the kitchen. He said, "From my experience to others, it is not worth your life charging your electronics in bed. I mean, it's not worth it. I wouldn't wish what happened to me on my worst enemy."
