What to do during an electrical emergency

Electrical emergencies cause a lot of harm to human lives and property each year. They are called emergencies because they usually occur when you do not expect them. However, you can better handle such emergencies if you are familiar with emergency procedures and know what to do. This guide is handy and describes what to do during an electrical emergency.

You can read up on signs of electrical emergencies, electrical safety measures during an electrical emergency, and tips to properly maintain your electrical systems and appliances. This post concludes with a description of emergency electrician services. Let's dive in!

Signs of Electrical Emergencies

Early signs of electrical emergencies

• Flickering lights and inconsistent working outlets indicate that you may have faulty electrical components or wiring problems. You can invite a professional electrician to perform electrical fault-finding procedures.
• Burning smells: Unusual odours or intense burning smells may indicate electrical system overheating or melting components. This is a possible fire hazard.
• Electrical sparks or arcs: Outlets or appliances may exhibit sparks or arcs. This electrical emergency may pose a fire risk, so address it promptly.
  

What to Do in an Electrical Emergency

Your first step during electrical emergencies is to consider your well-being. Then, take the necessary steps to manage the emergency. Electrical emergencies include power outages, electric fires, fallen power lines, and electrical shocks.

Read on for what to do during different types of electrical emergencies.

What to do during power outages 

• Power outages are usually failures and blackouts due to emergencies such as energy shortages, fallen power lines, or phase power problems.
• First, turn off your power source at the main circuit breaker. This will help protect your electrical appliances.
• Trace the cause of the outage. Overloaded outlets can trip circuit breakers and cause power outages. You may check outlets and extensions to reduce power load.
• Get professional help: If you don't know the cause of the power outage, contact your energy provider.
• Carefully reset breakers: It is best that you first turn on the breaker so that energy fluctuations do not damage appliances when you turn them on.

What to do during electrical shocks

• An electrical shock is an electrical emergency due to unresolved damages to outlets, plugs, and electrical wires. It may also be due to faulty electrical appliances.
• Signs that appear when electric shocks occur include unconsciousness, immediate collapse after touching electrical appliances, and irregular breathing.
• To manage an electric shock emergency, first turn off power sources.
• Keep your distance and do not touch the person experiencing the emergency. 
• Touching anyone who is receiving an electric shock puts you in danger.
• If the power source is inaccessible, you can use a non-conductive material like a wooden broomstick to separate the person from the electricity source.
• You may also check a low-voltage rescue kit (if one is available) and use a rescue crook.
• Get professional and medical help
• Immediately call Triple Zero (000) when an electric shock occurs.
• You may get medical help for those who have experienced electrical shock. You can contact the 112 emergency service number using your mobile phone.
• Administer first aid if you can before the ambulance arrives. It would be best to have a professional electrician to handle the electrical emergency.
  

What to do during electrical fires

• Electrical fires can cause property damage, and circuit overloads and faulty wiring can cause them.
• First, turn off your power supply to prevent electric shocks. Also, remember to turn off the circuit breaker. 
• Unplug the appliance that is causing the fire.
• Use the right fire extinguisher – Class A type for situations without a power supply and Class B when you have live electrical equipment.
• Promptly invite the fire brigade: The fire brigade provides a lot of valuable aid during electrical fires. They help you to reduce the chances of further electrical hazards.
• Electrical fires can be challenging to control. Evacuate the area if this is the case.
• Call your electricity provider, such as Victory Electric, if electrical fires affect electric metres or service entrance wiring.
  

What to do during fallen power lines emergencies 

• Fallen power lines are a type of electrical emergency that can be life-threatening. Apply extreme caution when dealing with it. There may still be power in the line, so keep a distance of 40 feet at a minimum.
• Be wary of possible conductors that may pose electrical hazards. This includes metals and standing water.
• Notify the authorities, such as electricity providers. You can call 000 for fallen overhead power lines.
  

Safety Measures During an Electrical Emergency

• Evacuate areas with large fires or strong electrical currents and call for help.
• Inform those who are nearby and use clear language to explain the emergency.
• Do not touch damaged electrical outlets, electrical equipment, or exposed wires.
• Avoid touching anyone who may have been in contact with an electrical current. Immediately call for help and follow the given instructions.
• Get a class C fire extinguisher and put out small fires, such as small flames close to faulty electricity systems.
• Do not get close to anything that conducts electricity, such as water or wet areas. Avoid touching electrical equipment and fixtures with wet hands.
• Immediately call emergency services and give accurate details of the electrical emergency and potential hazards. Remember to include your location.
  

Importance of Regular Electrical Maintenance

• Regular and professional maintenance plays a vital role in preventing electrical emergencies. For a start, it helps you to avoid potential hazards.
• It also reduces the risk of electrical emergencies.
• Regular electrical maintenance enhances safety by reducing the risk of electrical fires, shocks, and other hazards.
• You reduce the possibility of sudden power outages when you regularly maintain electrical systems and promptly address electrical issues and malfunctions.
• You will increase the reliability of your electrical system and reduce equipment failures.
• Regular maintenance optimises the energy efficiency of electrical appliances and electrical systems. This translates into reduced energy bills.
• The lifespan of electrical equipment is extended.
• You do not need frequent replacement. Regular maintenance is, therefore, money-saving in the long term.
  

Tips to Properly Maintain Your Electrical Systems

• Ensure that everyone follows proper procedures when using electrical equipment and electrical appliances.
• Do not overload outlets and extension boxes. Keep flammable materials away from electrical devices.
• Regular electrical inspections can help you quickly identify potential hazards and faulty electrical components.
• A professional electrician can conduct regular electrical safety inspections to detect potential electrical issues.
• Your electrician may recommend switchboard upgrades, redistribution of electrical load, or surge protection devices.
  

Tips to help avoid and prevent electrical emergencies

The following tips can be helpful in the event of an electrical emergency and to prevent electrical emergencies:

• Promptly replace damaged or worn-out safety switches or outlets to prevent electrical malfunctions.
• Do not use equipment with frayed cords.
• Unplug appliances when not using them to reduce the risk of electrical fires.
• Consider electrical house rewiring for poor or ageing wiring systems. This can lower the risk of electrical fires.
• Upgrade outdated switchboards and circuit breakers to reduce the risk of electrical fires.
• It is vital to undergo safety training and emergency drills to prepare yourself for emergencies.
  

Emergency Electrician Services to Rely On

You can call an emergency electrician when you have electrical fires, fallen power lines, or any other electrical emergency. They can also provide the following emergency electrician services.

Here are some essential steps you should take if you find yourself in an electrical emergency:

Electrical hot water services

A licensed electrician can meet your electrical hot water needs. Such services include water heater installations, upgrades, and maintenance.

Electrical fault-finding

This is a service that your emergency electrician can use to detect electrical faults in your home. They can examine surge protectors and wiring systems for issues and fix them.

Preventive electrical maintenance

Apart from being able to handle electrical emergencies, electrical contractors can go on to provide preventative maintenance services. This service helps to lower the chances of an electric shock.

Maintenance and upgrade of safety switches

Licensed emergency electricians can help ensure your main safety switches and circuit breakers are up to code and fix emergency issues with safety switches.

Office fits and data cable services

You can rely on licensed electricians to set up new offices and provide electrical fit-outs and data cable services. This is also true when you need emergency fit-outs.

Level 2 ASP electrician services

You can invite emergency electricians with Level 2 ASP certification to deal with weak power poles and connection points. They can also work on consumer mains and power supply issues.

Ceiling fan and other electrical installations

Your local electrician can provide general electrical installation services such as the following:

• Ceiling fan installation
• Smoke alarm installation
• Led lighting installation
• EV charger installation
  

Contractors Can Help During Electrical Emergencies

This post has taught you what to do during an electrical emergency and given you tips on properly maintaining your electrical systems and appliances. However, knowing what to do during an electrical emergency may simply not be enough. You may not have the training, skills, or legal authority to perform certain emergency electrical repairs.

In fact, DIY electrical repairs can be hazardous in some situations. You should, therefore, immediately invite a professional domestic or commercial electrician if an electrical emergency occurs in your home or office. They can help resolve the emergency safely, quickly, and efficiently.