Emergency Electrical Repairs: What to Do While Waiting for an Electrician

Electrical emergencies can happen without warning, posing serious risks to your home and safety. Knowing how to respond while waiting for a professional can make all the difference, whether it’s a power outage, sparking outlets, or a burning smell. At Benchmark Electrical, we’re here to guide you through the steps to manage an electrical emergency effectively.

Turn Off the Power to the Affected Area

If you notice sparks, smoke, or overheating in any part of your home, immediately cut the power to the affected area.

Steps to Safely Turn Off the Power:

• Locate your circuit breaker panel (usually in the garage, basement, or utility room).
• Identify the breaker for the affected area and flip it to the “off” position.
• If you can’t identify the specific breaker, shut off the main power switch to ensure safety.

Important: If accessing the breaker panel poses any danger (e.g., water leakage or visible damage), wait for a professional.

Assess and Address Fire Hazards

If not addressed quickly, electrical issues like short circuits and overheated wires can lead to fires.

If You See Flames:

• Use a Class C fire extinguisher (designed for electrical fires).
• Do not use water to extinguish the fire, as it can conduct electricity and make the situation worse.
• If the fire spreads or becomes uncontrollable, evacuate immediately and call emergency services.

If You Smell Burning:

• A burning smell often indicates overheating or melting wires.
• Turn off power in the affected area and avoid using the electrical system until an electrician inspects it.

Unplug Devices and Appliances

If the emergency involves a specific appliance (e.g., a sparking toaster or malfunctioning heater), unplug it immediately if it’s safe to do so.

Why This is Important:

• Prevents further damage to the appliance.
• Reduces the risk of a power surge when the system is restored.
• Stops additional current from flowing to the faulty device.

Stay Away from Water

Water combined with electricity is one of the most dangerous scenarios in any home. Flooding, leaks, or accidental spills near outlets or appliances can create severe hazards.

What to Do:

• Shut off power to the affected area using the circuit breaker.
• Keep everyone, including pets, away from the area.
• Avoid attempting to remove appliances or touch water until the power is off and an electrician has assessed the situation.

Conduct a Visual Inspection (Without Touching Anything)

While waiting for the electrician, perform a visual check to identify obvious signs of damage.

Look For:

• Burn marks or discolouration around outlets or switches.
• Exposed or frayed wires.
• Flickering or dimming lights.
• Smoke or sparking near appliances.

Do Not Touch: Leave troubleshooting and repairs to the professionals. Your role is to gather as much information as possible to help the electrician upon arrival.

Ventilate the Area

If there’s a burning smell or smoke but no visible fire, you can usually open windows and doors to ventilate the area.

Why This Matters:

• Ventilation helps disperse potentially harmful fumes from overheating wires or plastic insulation.
• Prevents smoke from triggering fire alarms unnecessarily.

Tip: Avoid using fans or air conditioners to clear smoke, which could exacerbate the problem.

Protect Children and Pets

Electrical emergencies can pose heightened risks for children and pets, who may not understand the dangers.

What to Do:

• Keep children and pets away from the affected area.
• Use barriers, baby gates, or closed doors to restrict access.
• Ensure everyone in the household understands the importance of avoiding the area until the electrician arrives.

Avoid DIY Repairs

Electrical systems are complex, and attempting to fix the issue yourself can lead to serious risks, including injury, fire, or further damage.

Why DIY is Dangerous:

• Improper repairs can void warranties and create code violations.
• Handling live wires or damaged components without proper tools and knowledge can lead to shocks or burns.

Tip: Always wait for a licensed electrician, like the experts at Benchmark Electrical, to handle repairs.

Take Steps to Preserve Appliances

If the emergency involves a power outage or surge, take precautions to protect your electronics and appliances.

Steps to Follow:

• Unplug sensitive devices like computers, TVs, and gaming systems to prevent damage from power surges when electricity is restored.
• Keep refrigerators and freezers closed to preserve food for as long as possible.

Stay Calm and Prepared

Electrical emergencies can be stressful, but staying calm allows you to make better decisions.

How to Stay Prepared:

• Have an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, and a phone charger.
• Keep a list of essential contact numbers, including your electrician and local emergency services.
• Provide the electrician with clear details about the problem to expedite repairs.

When to Call an Electrician Immediately

Not all electrical problems are emergencies, but the following scenarios require urgent attention:

• Frequent tripping of circuit breakers or blown fuses.
• Persistent burning smells or visible smoke.
• Sparking outlets or switches.
• Power outages in parts of your home while other areas remain functional.
• Signs of electric shock when touching appliances or outlets.

Why Choose Benchmark Electrical for Emergency Repairs?

At Benchmark Electrical, we understand that electrical emergencies can’t wait. That’s why we offer:

• 24/7 Emergency Service: Our licensed electricians are available around the clock to ensure your safety.
• Rapid Response Times: We prioritize emergency calls to get your home back to normal quickly.
• Expert Diagnosis and Repairs: Our skilled team identifies the root cause of the problem and delivers lasting solutions.
• Transparent Communication: We keep you informed every step of the way, from the initial call to the final repair.

Be Prepared: Save Our Number Today

Electrical emergencies can happen when you least expect them. Save Benchmark Electrical’s number in your contacts now, so you’ll always have expert help just a call away.