Most of the time, electrical issues are minor and easily fixed. However, there are a few situations where you need to act quickly and call the right people to have the danger handled properly. Different authorities are required depending on the situation; familiarizing yourself with the proper procedures for any electrical emergency will help you remain calm and focused if they occur.
Downed Power Lines
Just because a line is down doesn’t mean that it has lost power. It’s very likely that it is still a live wire and can seriously injure someone who gets too close and comes in contact with it. Be sure to stay at least 45 feet away from the wire, and scan the area for any objects that might be connected or conducting its energy – such as a puddle, metal fence, or tree. Call 911 immediately when you see a line come down, and alert your power company of the issue as well.
Shocks from an Electrical Appliances
If you pick up your hairdryer or plug in your vacuum and see sparks, that indicates a significant problem. Home electrical outlets conduct enough amperes of electricity to cause serious harm, so you do not want to delay fixing the issue. If you suspect an electrical problem, turn off the power to that circuit and unplug any appliances connected to that circuit. Call a trusted electrician to diagnose and offer solutions to the issue. If someone touches a wire and is receiving a shock, the best and safest thing to do is get to the circuit breaker and remove the power. If the control panel is difficult to access quickly (in a basement or outside a garage), use an insulated item like wood or PVC to break the connection between the person and the electrical component. Once you’ve stopped the electrocution, call 911 and then cut power to the circuit.
Power Failures
We all know the frustration of suddenly finding ourselves in the dark when the power goes out. The cause isn’t always evident, but the important thing first is to get to your breaker panel and turn off all the circuits. This way, you protect your electrical appliances from the surge of electricity that happens when the power comes back. Many items such as computers, phones, televisions, and other devices can get quite damaged when the power comes back on. After turning off the breakers, contact your energy company to report the outage and get information on when they think the power will be returned. After the power comes back, it’s wise to wait a few minutes before turning on the breakers and restarting your appliances to avoid the electrical surge. Installing surge protectors is another excellent way to protect your devices–this way, you are protected even if the power goes out when you aren’t home. If some of your devices are affected, call your homeowner’s insurance company and see if your policy covers some of the damages.
Electrical Fire
No electrical emergency is as scary as a fire. When a wire shorts or objects near a wire or bulb catch fire, it can be quite a dangerous situation. If a fire breaks out, the first thing you want to do is remove the power source. Turn off the circuit at your control panel; otherwise, no matter how much you smother the flames, the electrical power source will continue fueling the fire. If possible, use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, but no matter what, you should call 911 as soon as possible to get the firefighters to your house. Get everyone out of the house until they have arrived and cleared the scene.
An electrical emergency is nothing to scoff at – be sure to call in the professionals you need to keep you and your family safe. If you need rewiring, new fixtures or any project big or small, call Promise Electric.
