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Electrical emergencies don't wait for convenient times. They strike at midnight, during family gatherings, or in the middle of Minnesota's brutal winter storms. When electrical problems threaten your family's safety or your home's security, knowing when to call for emergency electrical service could save lives.
Most homeowners underestimate electrical dangers or delay calling for help, hoping problems will resolve themselves. However, electrical emergencies require immediate professional attention to prevent fires, electrocution, or extensive property damage.
Here's tips from our contractors at Horizon Services On Call on how to recognize true electrical emergencies and what to do when they occur.
If you see sparks coming from outlets, switches, or your electrical panel, shut off power immediately and call for emergency service. Sparks indicate dangerous electrical arcing that can ignite fires within minutes.
What to do: Turn off the main breaker if you can reach it safely. If sparks continue, evacuate the area and call both emergency electrical service and the fire department.
The smell of burning plastic, rubber, or electrical components indicates overheating wires or components. This is often the first sign before electrical fires start.
What to do: Try to locate the source of the smell. If it's coming from an outlet or switch, turn off the circuit breaker for that area. Call for emergency electrical service immediately.
If you receive electrical shocks from appliances, light switches, or outlets, there's a dangerous fault in your electrical system. Even minor shocks indicate serious problems that could worsen quickly.
What to do: Stop using the affected appliance or fixture immediately. Don't touch it again until a professional electrician has inspected and repaired the problem.
If your home loses power but neighboring homes still have electricity, you likely have a serious electrical system failure. This could indicate problems with your main panel, service entrance, or meter connections.
What to do: Check your main breaker first. If it hasn't tripped and neighbors have power, call emergency electrical service. Don't attempt to investigate further.
Occasional flickering might indicate minor issues, but lights flickering throughout your home suggest serious electrical problems. This often indicates loose connections, overloaded circuits, or failing electrical panels.
What to do: Note which lights are affected and when flickering occurs. Reduce electrical usage and call for service within a few hours.
If circuit breakers trip repeatedly, your electrical system is working to protect you from dangerous overloads. Continuing to reset tripped breakers without professional diagnosis can lead to fires.
What to do: Don't keep resetting tripped breakers. Unplug devices on affected circuits and call for electrical service.
Outlets or switches that feel warm or hot indicate dangerous overheating. This often precedes electrical fires and requires immediate attention.
What to do: Stop using affected outlets immediately. Turn off the circuit breaker for that area and call for service.
Electrical panels should operate silently. Buzzing, crackling, or sizzling sounds indicate dangerous arcing or loose connections that could cause fires.
What to do: Don't open the electrical panel. Note the sounds and call for emergency service.
Never assume downed power lines are safe. They remain energized and deadly even when they appear inactive. This is always a life-threatening emergency.
What to do: Stay at least 35 feet away from downed lines. Call 911 immediately, then call your utility company.
Water and electricity create deadly combinations. If flooding or leaks expose electrical components to water, the risk of electrocution is extreme.
What to do: Don't enter areas with standing water near electrical equipment. Turn off power at the main breaker if you can do so safely from a dry location. Call emergency electrical service.
High winds, falling trees, or hail can damage electrical equipment, creating dangerous conditions even after storms pass.
What to do: Don't touch or approach damaged electrical equipment. Have a professional electrician inspect all electrical systems after severe weather.
Electrical problems don't fix themselves and typically worsen over time. What starts as minor flickering can quickly become a dangerous fire hazard.
Water conducts electricity and can cause electrocution. Use only Class C fire extinguishers designed for electrical fires, or call the fire department.
Electrical emergencies require professional expertise and specialized tools. Attempting DIY repairs during emergencies often makes problems worse and increases safety risks.
Electrical emergencies can escalate rapidly. The sooner you call for professional help, the safer your family and home will be.
Life-threatening situations like sparking panels, electrical fires, or electrocution risks require immediate response. Professional emergency electricians should arrive within an hour for critical situations.
Problems like repeated breaker trips, burning smells, or complete power outages need prompt attention but aren't immediately life-threatening. Response within 4 hours is appropriate.
Issues like warm outlets, intermittent flickering, or weather-related concerns should be addressed the same day to prevent escalation.
Emergency electricians first assess safety risks and stabilize dangerous situations. They'll identify immediate hazards and take steps to protect your family and property.
Sometimes permanent repairs can't be completed immediately. Professional electricians can implement safe temporary solutions to restore essential power while planning permanent repairs.
Emergency service providers should explain what they found, what immediate actions they took, and what additional work might be needed.
Every family member should know where the main electrical panel is located and how to shut off power in emergencies.
Program emergency electrical service numbers into your phone and keep them posted near your electrical panel.
Working smoke detectors provide early warning of electrical fires, giving you precious time to respond safely.
Surge protection devices can prevent many electrical emergencies caused by power surges during storms.
Electrical emergencies don't wait for business hours. When your family's safety is at risk, you need electrical professionals who respond quickly and have the expertise to handle dangerous situations safely.
Don't gamble with electrical emergencies. Trust the professionals who've served Farmington, Lakeville & Rosemount for over 40 years.
At Horizon Services On Call, we provide 24/7 emergency electrical response because we understand that electrical problems can't wait. Our experienced electricians are equipped to handle any emergency situation safely and efficiently.
Experiencing an electrical emergency right now? Contact us immediately. We're standing by to help protect your family and home.
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