You may think an electrical emergency is when the power goes out – and in Sarasota, losing your air conditioning in summer can certainly seem to be tragic. Your teenager may think it an emergency if their devices don’t work. And truth be told, a power outage that lasts more than a few hours can quickly turn into a difficult situation. But there are electrical emergencies which are much more severe and require immediate and serious attention. The safety of your family and protection of your property is too important to ignore the warning signs of a true electrical emergency.
Many homeowners simply do not understand that they are looking at an electrical hazard that could cause serious damage. That is why we believe that having periodic residential electrical inspections is an essential step in ensuring that your home is safe. We will not only identify and fix the issues in your home, but we can teach you to identify the warning signs an electrical emergency.
Electrical Emergency Warning Signs
Many homeowners ignore common warning signs that could ignite a serious issue. You can minimize the chances of injury, fire and property damage by taking the time to identify any possible threats.
You Smell Burning: If you detect a burning odor emanating from electrical cords, outlets, walls, or appliances, don’t ignore it. It could be a warning sign of a dangerous situation. Be sure to first unplug any device, appliance or fixture, and alert anyone in the home as to the situation. Because you do not know what the problem actually is, don’t use any outlet in the area until you have had an electrician come out to assess the situation. You may also smell burning in the vicinity of your breaker panel – that is definitely worthy of a call to Promise Electric! Keep in mind, sometimes new appliances give off a weird smell when first plugged in; or if they have not been used for a while However, this smell should dissipate fairly quickly. If you have any concern, call for professional help.
The Service Panel is Hot: Electrical service panels should never be hot to the touch. If it does feel hot, that is a key warning sign that there may be a serious problem. Remember, there are powerful currents traveling through your home’s wires, and the integrity of all wires should be maintained. If you notice browning, heat or frayed wiring at your panel, call an electrician.
The Carbon Monoxide Danger: One of the most fatal electrical emergencies involves carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is invisible, but may be leaking from an improperly installed home appliance. Early physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include blurred vision, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, nausea and muscle weakness. If you are experiencing symptoms, get out of the home quickly and call for an inspection. In order to prevent the situation entirely, install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Like a smoke detector, you will need to be sure that batteries are replaced when necessary.
You are Experiencing Power Outages: Spontaneous power outages, especially those which you can’t identify the cause, are a big warning sign. If your home’s wiring is old or outdated, you may need to replace the wiring throughout. Old wiring may be overburdened by our contemporary electrical needs – devices, computers, appliances, and electrical gadgets. Although many people assume a power outage affects the entire neighborhood, you can quickly check with a neighbor. If the outage was just in your home, you have an issue which needs to be addressed.
Promise Electric is a trusted electrical services company based in Sarasota. Our master electricians have extensive experience providing service to residential and commercial properties. Call today for an inspection.
