Have you ever flipped on a light switch and wondered what was wrong with it? Did it feel loose, or just not work? Did the light flicker instead of turn on? You may have an electrical emergency at hand. Electrical problems are usually minor, but the situations turn them into electrical emergencies. In such cases, it is essential to react immediately and smartly since an electrical emergency can pose severe risks to you and your family.
Electrical problems are never fun. There is the common problem of a power outage that can happen any number of times in an area or an appliance simply not turning on. But when things start to get serious, electrical problems and emergencies occur. These situations can be life-threatening or dangerous.
What are Common Types of Electrical Emergencies?
Power Outage
While you may not like to think about them, electrical outages are a common electrical emergency that plagues many households. Whereas it’s often more convenient to ignore these issues, it’s best to take care of them as soon as possible, so they don’t turn into larger problems. If you’re still experiencing power outages, it may be an ideal decision to call an electrician. However, if you don’t know the first thing about electrical work and just need someone to fix your blackout, then it’s best not to attempt this yourself. An electrician can tell you where the problem is. Whether it’s something you can repair yourself or if it should be handled by a professional.
Electrical Fire
Electrical fires are extremely dangerous emergencies that can be caused by various things, such as faulty wiring, overloaded sockets or even something as simple as a faulty appliance. When you suspect that an electrical fire has started, it’s important to act fast and call the fire brigade immediately. Once they arrive, they will be able to put out the fire and assess the damage. If you use a fire extinguisher, make sure it is appropriate for putting out electrical fires.
Tripped Circuit Breakers
When multiple appliances are plugged into one circuit and overloaded, electrical emergencies can occur. To fix this problem, unplug some appliances from the overloaded circuit and then reset the breaker by flipping the switch back to “on”. If you notice your breaker keeps tripping, call an electrician so they can take a look and fix the problem. Call an electrician who can determine the cause of the tripped circuit breaker.
Issues with electrical appliances
We all know that lights don’t usually go out all of a sudden. The onset is gradual and shows preliminary symptoms such as flickering and dimming before totally dying out. When dealing with malfunctioning electronics, they may indicate other major faults in the system. There is a possibility of injuries happening in such situations if not taken care of timeously. Hence at the time of issues with electrical appliances, you must call emergency electrical services.
If you find yourself in an electrical emergency, here are some tips to remember:
Turning off the main electrical switch
If you notice sparking near an electrical line, do not touch it. Call the emergency services for help and advice. Otherwise, it’s best to switch off the main electrical line or turn off any gadgets in question to prevent complications till the professionals arrive.
If there is a fire at your home
If you have a fire in your home, call emergency services immediately. If you have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket nearby and are trained to use it, use that to put out the flames. But only do this if the fire is small and manageable. If it’s big and out of control, leave your home right away.
Stay calm
When we face a life-threatening emergency, adrenaline kicks in and makes us act quickly to protect ourselves and others. Electrical emergencies possibly fall into this category. Although they are not life-threatening, they can be very stressful, and you should remain calm, even if the situation is critical such as if there is a fire or power lines have fallen onto your home.
Home electrical systems are the very foundation of your home’s comfort. It is generally good practice to have your safety devices serviced yearly for peak performance by a licensed and insured electrician. It is important to keep your wiring and electrical appliances in working order. Also, be sure to purchase low-voltage equipment and make use of surge protector devices to ensure that there are no power spikes or interruptions.