As homeowners our responsibilities are many. Knowing what an electrical emergency is and how to handle it is important for every homeowner. Most people are uncertain as to what would be defined as an emergency. There are those who would say a power outage is definitely an emergency situation, while other homeowners would not be as alarmed.
What Constitutes an Electrical Emergency?
Though a power outage could indeed lead to an emergency situation, there are a number of other situations that warrant emergency services. The presence of smoke being emitted from an outlet, an electrical fire in your home, or sockets and panels that are extremely hot to the touch are all examples of emergency situations. We can all agree, that electricity as a whole should not be fooled or tampered with. With that said, being aware of an electrical emergency is one thing, but being prepared is yet another.
Be Prepared for an Electrical Emergency
Knowing what to do during an emergency situation can certainly help save your family and home. Here are some important tips on what you should do.
- Use caution – First and foremost, if you are experiencing an electrical problem and feel confident it is an emergency, the most important action you can take is no action. It is imperative that you use caution and are extremely careful and keep your distance from the problem.
- Steer clear – don’t touch – If you see flames, smoke or sparks of any kind emitted from a socket, or even an electrical appliance, be sure to steer clear. Do not touch anything because this can result in you getting an electrical shock or even getting electrocuted.
- Call for emergency services immediately – If you find yourself in a dangerous situation call for help immediately. Call your local contractor for emergency services. The professionals will know exactly what to do and again, steer clear of the problem. It is probably best to make that emergency call from outside your home and away from the problem. The emergency service personnel will give you specific instructions on what you should do until they arrive on the scene. As long as your emergency is not with the main electrical panel in your home, they will more than likely instruct you to shut the main power off on the panel and wait for their arrival.
- Cut the power source to your home – Every homeowner should know where the main panel breaker is in their home. When an electrical emergency occurs, it is important that the power source to the house is cut off. If you are unaware as to which breaker goes with which room in the house, then just play it safe and shut them all down. You want to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the safety of your home and family.
- Use the fire extinguisher – For small fires that occur in your home, your important first step is to smother the fire and cause it to go out if you can. Be sure not to use water, but rather a fire extinguisher to put the flames out. If, however, you are unable to perform this task, leave the area and call for emergency services right away.
There You Have It
Whenever you have an emergency involving electricity of any kind, the safety of your family and home always come first. During an electrical emergency it is critical that you reach out to your electrician immediately and steer clear of the problem and the area. For more information on how to recognize and be prepared for emergency electrical situations reach out to Gervais Electric, Inc. Our team of dedicated professionals can help you learn how to be more prepared and how to keep your home and family safe.
For the highest quality electrical emergency services, and to ensure the safety of your home and family, look to the pros here at Gervais Electric, Inc, where our clients are always our number one priority. Rest assured, we are the team for you!
