Why do I get an electric shock so often?

If you touch the faucet or your keyboard, open the car door or shake someone's hand, you sometimes get a little shock. How is that possible and can you do something about it?

The cause

Your body slowly charges itself with electricity. This is partly due to friction of your clothing, with the floor or with the seat of a chair or sofa. In most cases, your body loses that electricity on its own. The humidity is relatively low in winter, so you are more often electrically charged.

Read also: 'Tips against static hair'

In some cases you do not lose the electricity properly

Shoes with plastic or rubber soles do not conduct, so your body cannot lose the static charge. When you touch an object or a person, the electricity can suddenly leave your body and that gives a shock.

What can you do against an electric shock?

Not everyone is equally affected by static electricity. A few things to ensure that you are less statically charged:

• Do not wear shoes with rubber or synthetic soles, in many cases that makes a huge difference.
• Check the humidity in the house. With a higher humidity you will suffer less quickly. That explains why you get shocks more often in the winter, when the humidity in the house is usually lower.
• People with dry skin are more prone to static electricity. Apply body lotion regularly.