Electrical Emergencies Demand Immediate Action
Electrical emergencies can happen without warning—a lightning strike during a storm, an overloaded circuit that sparks, a fallen power line, or a sudden loss of power to part or all of your home. When these situations occur, knowing exactly what to do in the first moments can mean the difference between a handled situation and a catastrophic disaster. Unlike many other home emergencies, electrical problems require professional expertise and should never be tackled as DIY projects.
Immediate Safety Steps
Never touch exposed wires or damaged electrical equipment. This is the most critical rule. Even if a wire appears to be inactive, assume it's live. Water conducts electricity, so never touch electrical equipment in wet environments. Don't attempt to move a fallen power line—call the utility company and keep everyone back at least 10 feet.
Shut off power at the main breaker if it's safe to do so. If you can reach your main breaker panel without passing through the area of danger, turn off the main breaker. This stops current flow throughout your home. However, if doing this puts you in danger, skip this step and proceed directly to step three.
Call emergency services and Dausman Electric immediately. Dial 911 if anyone has been injured by electrical current or if there's a fire. For non-injury electrical emergencies, call us at (336) 978-7844. We provide 24/7 emergency electrical service and will dispatch a licensed electrician to your location as quickly as possible.
Keep everyone away from the affected area. Don't allow family members, pets, or neighbors to approach the problem area. Electrical hazards can extend further than you might expect, and additional people in the area only complicate the emergency.
Common Electrical Emergencies
Power Outages Affecting Your Entire Home - If your entire house loses power suddenly, check with neighbors to see if they're affected. If only your home is affected, the problem is likely in your meter, service entrance, or main breaker. If neighbors are also affected, the issue is with the utility company's service line, and you should call them. In either case, avoid using candles if possible—use flashlights instead. Don't assume the power will come back on automatically; call the utility company to report the outage.
Power Loss to Part of Your Home - If some outlets and lights work while others don't, you likely have a circuit breaker that's tripped or a failed breaker. Check your breaker panel—look for any breaker in the middle position (between on and off). If you find one, try resetting it by switching it fully off, then back on. If it immediately trips again, or if all breakers appear normal but power is still out to certain areas, call us for professional diagnosis.
Burning Smell or Visible Sparks - A burning smell near an outlet, switch, or your electrical panel, or visible sparks coming from an electrical source, indicates dangerous overheating or arcing. This can precede an electrical fire. Immediately turn off power to that circuit at the breaker panel if you can safely reach it. If you can't safely reach the breaker, or if the smell is coming from the panel itself, evacuate and call 911. Never attempt to use the problematic outlet or plug anything into it.
Electrical Shock or Tingling - If you receive an electrical shock from an outlet, appliance, or light switch, or feel a persistent tingling sensation, there's likely a ground fault or improper grounding. Don't use that outlet or appliance again. Call us for professional inspection before using the electrical system further.
Damaged Wires or Outlets - Water damage, weather damage, or physical damage to outlets, switches, or visible wiring creates immediate hazards. Don't touch the damaged area or try to repair it yourself. Call for emergency service to assess and repair the damage safely.
What Happens When You Call Dausman Electric
When you call us for emergency service, we prioritize your request based on severity. For life-threatening situations, we dispatch an electrician immediately. Our licensed professionals carry the tools and parts necessary to address most common emergency situations on-site, getting your power restored safely and quickly.
We'll diagnose the problem, explain what happened, make the necessary repairs, and test the system to ensure everything is functioning properly and safely. We'll also provide recommendations for any follow-up work that might be needed to prevent similar problems in the future.
Preventing Electrical Emergencies
While some electrical emergencies can't be prevented, many can be avoided through proper maintenance and upgrades. Regular electrical inspections, updating outdated wiring or panels, installing surge protection, and ensuring GFCI outlets are properly installed in wet areas can prevent many common emergencies.
Have your electrical system professionally inspected annually, especially if your home is older. Keep a list of all your circuit breakers and what they control so you can quickly address any problems. Never overload circuits with too many high-power appliances, and don't use extension cords as permanent solutions.
We're Here When You Need Us
Electrical emergencies are stressful, but you're not alone. Dausman Electric is available 24/7 for emergency electrical service. Whether it's the middle of the night or during a weekend, we'll get a professional electrician to your home as quickly as possible. Your safety and the safety of your family are our top priorities.
Don't hesitate to call us at (336) 978-7844 for any electrical emergency. It's better to have a professional assess the situation than to attempt repairs yourself and risk serious injury or property damage.