If you find yourself in an emergency that requires an electrician quickly, it is important that you get help from a local expert. Emergency electricians are on call for residential and commercial electrical faults and dangers. This post explains some common electrical faults, outlines when you should be concerned and identifies who you should contact when in need.
What is considered an electrical emergency?
There are a number of commonly experienced electrical faults that may require emergency assistance. Some of these include:
- Burnt out Devices: If you notice that one of your power sockets or devices is black, melted or discoloured, this is a sign of a severe electrical issue. It is best to turn off your power and have this investigated by an electrician immediately.
- Smoking Fixtures: Smoke or a burning smell coming from a light fixture is a sign of a wiring issue. This can cause significant damage to your electrical system and potentially cause a fire if it is not quickly remedied by an experienced electrician.
- Overloaded Circuits: If you put too much strain on an electrical outlet, it can overload the capacity for the breaker. An overloaded breaker will trip the circuit and shut off the power. However, in older properties there is a risk of fire or damage to the circuit if it is demanding more power than it can handle from numerous devices or appliances.
- Lightning: During a storm your home or business may be hit by lightning. This is a major concern as the property will need to be checked for fire hazards and electrical faults before you can safely use the electricity again. Therefore, it is vital that you contact an emergency electrician to look for potential risks or damage right away.
- Exposed Wires: If you come across damaged or exposed wires, be careful and do not touch them. Any contact that you make with an exposed wire has the risk to severely injure, create a spark and/or lead to a fire. Exposed wires need to be replaced immediately by a professional electrician.
- Fallen Power Lines: Power Lines carry huge amounts of electrical voltage which is extremely dangerous. If you come across a grounded power line it is best to stay clear and contact emergency services for assistance.
What should you do in an electrical emergency?
Electricity is extremely dangerous and electrical emergencies are frightening. However, if you do encounter a situation where electrical dangers are present, it is important to stay calm and contact an emergency electrician as soon as possible. Electrical emergencies are serious and small issues can lead to severe problems if they are not quickly dealt with professionally.
In the event that an electrical fault leads to a life threatening situation such as a fire or injury from an electric shock or electrocution, call 000 for emergency assistance right away. If possible the power should be shut off. Electrical shocks in particular can cause severe injuries that may not be immediately evident, so anyone who is hurt must be examined by a medical professional.
How to prevent an electrical fault from occurring?
The most effective way to stay safe from electrical faults and dangers is to regularly get your premises inspected by an expert electrician. Booking in for routine checks will ensure that any ageing electrical fixtures, wires or devices can be replaced prior to any dangerous situations occurring.
However, keep in mind that a reliable 24 hour emergency electrician will be available to assist you if an electrical problem does arise. This service assures customers that they can have a knowledgeable and experienced electrician resolve potentially dangerous issues with urgency and care; giving you and your family peace of mind.
At Alan Oxford’s Plumbing & Electrical Hills District, we specialise in providing expert electrical services for customers in the Hills District including Castle Hill and Baulkham Hills. We provide a Customer Service Guarantee and a 24 hour Emergency Electrical Service to ensure we can help you if a dangerous electrical issue does emerge. For more information about our services or to arrange a booking, contact our friendly team on (02) 9894 9623.
