Did this ever happen to you? You drive somewhere, park, get out of your car, go to lock it up and 'Ouch'! you get a static electric shock. It hurts, but try complaining to your nearest and dearest, especially if it doesn't happen to them. (They are probably not wearing tights.) The spark is painful because the electricity goes straight into your pain sensors, overloading them. It drills into your skin like a white-hot needle, creating a microscopic burn. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to prevent getting zapped and keep yourself safe.