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What is classed as an electrical emergency? This article looks at the importance of knowing about electrical emergencies and what you should do in an emergency.
The Importance of Knowing About an Electrical Emergency
If you have an understanding of how dangerous an electrical emergency can be, then you will not take the necessary safety precautions for granted. A lot of people simply ignore the common signs that can lead to a serious problem occurring, and we are here to remind you that it is always important to be vigilant and keep a lookout.
The chance of injury or property damage occurring can be massively reduced just by being more aware of your own electrical systems. People who have taken the time to locate any potential threats will not only be able to rescue their home from a potentially severe electrical fire but will also be quicker when it comes to putting a halt to the problem before it even becomes a major concern.
Professional assistance should never be doubted or passed on either. In all likelihood, if you manage to miss something, then a certified electrician will be able to identify the issue for you
What is an Electrical Emergency?
Power Outages
The majority of power outages are due to the failure of an electrical service. Due to many people working from home these days and generally more people staying in than going out, this means that there is more electricity being used.
Once it gets into the warmer months of the year, air conditioners will only add to this already large load. However, you will find that there are some power outages which are simply due to the household's electrical system.
What should I do?
In this situation, you need to check in with the neighbours to see whether the outage is just affecting your home or all of the homes surrounding yours. If the outage is isolated to just your home, then the next step is to reset the circuit breakers.
Who should I contact?
If all of the surrounding homes are also without power, then it is important that you get in touch with the electric company. However, if this incident is isolated just to your home, then you should call an electrician immediately to have this issue solved. We would recommend shutting off the power right at the source, as well as turning off all appliances, lights, and sockets.
Burnt Plug Socket
If a plug socket in your home is becoming extremely hot, has caught fire, or has a black or brown appearance, then there is a serious issue with the circuit. If this is not dealt with as soon as possible, then this can lead to a dangerous electrical fire and highly expensive repairs having to take place.
What should I do?
Immediately turn off this circuit at your home's breaker box. It is also important that everything is unplugged from the socket after the power to the socket has been switched off.
Who should I contact?
Unless the plug socket has actually caught fire, there is no need to contact any emergency services in this situation. You should get in touch with an electrician as soon as possible so that the necessary repairs can be handled.
Electrical Fire
Most often, electrical fires are caused by a fault in an electrical system. Although in some cases, they can also be caused by some fault with an appliance. As you should know, electrical fires are highly dangerous. Even in the cases where you can get the fire to go out, it is still important for you to take immediate action.
What should I do?
There are important steps that you will need to take when an electrical fire occurs. These steps need to be carried out as quickly as possible. Just in case an occasion such as this occurs, it is vital that your home has several working fire alarms and at least one fire extinguisher. The following are the steps that need to be taken:
Call 999. You need to let them know about what has happened and what the current situation is with the fire. If anyone has been injured, then ensure that the operators know this so that they can send medical professionals as well. If you can safely remain in your home, then you should continue with these steps.
Cut off the power supply. It is not enough to simply flip the breaker where the electrical issue is happening. You need to switch off the power directly at the source by shutting down the whole home's power at the breaker box.
Try to put out the fire. You will definitely need a fire extinguisher to put out this fire. You should not try to use any other tool. An electrical fire is quite different from a usual fire and cannot be put out in the same manner. If you cannot get the fire to go out using a fire extinguisher, then you need to leave your home and get to a safe distance.
Contact an electrician. You should not turn the power back on after the fire has gone out. You need to get in contact with a professional electrician as quickly as possible so they can come to inspect your system, identify the issue, and make any repairs which are necessary.
Fallen Power Lines
Power lines falling does not happen very often in modern times, but it can occur, and when it does, they are highly dangerous. Any incident of this needs to be reported as soon as possible.
What should I do?
It is important that you stay at least forty feet away from the fallen power line. You should not touch any tree or object that touches the power line.
Who should I contact?
Get in contact with your local authorities as soon as possible, as well as the electric company. Do not call an electrician; this is an issue too large for them to handle.
Short Circuits & Circuit Breaker Failure
Your home's circuit breakers are there to protect your circuits from overloading, as well as stop short circuits from occurring. Short circuits can happen when an electrical current takes the wrong route. Both of these events are signs of very serious electrical issues.
Circuit breakers can also just fail themselves. If they are tripping often, then this is often a sign that you are using more electricity than your breakers can handle, and you might need to upgrade.
What should I do?
It is important that you turn off the power to your whole home directly at the source. Short circuits and breakers tripping frequently are usually the result of something being wrong with your home's electrical wiring. Cutting off the power to the property will prevent electrical hazards from occurring.
Who should I contact?
As long as the short circuit has not led to a fire or a shock, then there is no need to contact emergency services. You should contact an electrician as soon as possible to have the system repaired.
Continuous Electrical or Appliance Problems
Some homes can suffer from minor electrical issues happening on occasion. If an appliance trips a breaker once, then this is fine, but if this happens almost every time, then there is a serious issue.
What should I do?
The appliance needs to be unplugged, and the breaker needs to be turned back on. If there is another with the breaker after this, then there is definitely an electrical problem. If the breaker does not flip, then there is a problem with the appliance itself.
Who should I contact?
An electrician needs to be contacted first. Let them know about the problems you have been having and what you have learned from troubleshooting the issue. Appliance repair may also need to be contacted.
Are you looking for an emergency electrician in Ludlow and the surrounding areas of Shropshire? Contact our qualified electrician for domestic and commercial electrical services near you.