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Affiliation
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Burn Unit, Trauma Division, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. |
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Abstract
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Electric flyswatters (sometimes called mosquito bats, racket zappers, zap rackets, or zapping rackets) are hand-held devices that resemble badminton rackets or tennis rackets, which became popular worldwide in the late 1990s. US Patent 5,519,963 was awarded to Taiwanese inventor Tsao-i Shih in 1996 for such a device. The handle contains a battery powered high voltage generator. The circuit is composed of an electronic oscillator, a step-up transformer and a voltage multiplier, similar to the circuit in an electroshock weapon or stun gun, but with lower power.
In Thailand and in many parts of the world, the annoyances and potential health hazards of mosquitoes(1) have led to the development of many devices designed to kill them.(2) The electric fly-swatter (Yongtong,Yongtong Electronics Co, Ltd, China) is thought by many to be a safe anti-mosquito device that is used widely for killing mosquitoes in tropical countries. It is free of toxic chemicals or other poisonous materials, and it combines the common household fly-swatter with an electrical screen designed to incinerate the insect.(3) Unfortunately, the tennis racket shape, the sparkling sound of electrical shock, and a flash of light with incineration of the fly can be enticing to children....
Although the electric fly-swatter is a useful personal insect eliminator, care must be taken to prevent application of the metallic mesh to flammable surfaces and to allow sufficient time for cooling of the mesh following its use.(3) Adhesive shoe glue is a known flammable substance with the disastrous ability to ignite spontaneously upon contact with heat. It should never be used in close proximity to electrical equipment, sources of static electricity, or machinery with moving parts, and it should be stored in closed airtight safety containers after use. We also recommend a heightened awareness of the risks associated with the use of the electric mosquito swatter, which should be kept out of children' reach. Guidelines for safe handling of the device are in place.
1. Guerra CA, Snow RW, Hay SI. A global assessment of closed forests, deforestation and malaria risk. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2006;100(3):189–20. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
2. Okabayashi H, Thongthien P, Singhasyanon P, et al. Keys to success for a school-based malaria control program in primary schools in Thailand. Parasitol Int. 2006;55(2):121–12. [PubMed]
3. Pollick M. What is an electric fly-swatter? [Accessed 2006]; Available at: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-electric-fly-swatter.htm.
Language: en |