It goes without saying that electricity is a significant part of our daily lives. We take it for granted – it is simply one of the things that make the world turn. However, electricity can fail us at times. This is usually because of poor wiring and faulty appliances in our homes, which can present potential dangers to you and your family.
This is our surefire guide for electrical emergencies.
These electrical emergencies can be potentially dangerous for you and your family. Here’s what you need to know about what they are and what to do.
Some issues are fairly straightforward and shouldn’t be a cause for concern – if you cannot solve the problem yourself, call your electrician to get it sorted. But in some cases, a situation may be considered an electrical emergency. Let’s take a look at what this means and what you should do in these circumstances.
What Is Considered an Electrical Emergency?
Electrical emergencies essentially any situation involving electricity where people could potentially get hurt. This is a fairly broad description, but it is the only possible one because every situation is different. Determining whether something is an emergency will require some personal judgement. A blackout is not considered an emergency (except, say, in a commercial office building where this could potentially lead to someone injuring themselves).
A hazardous situation may involve burning wires or smoke coming from an the device, wiring or the panel. Lights flickering on your breaker panel or fallen wires and power lines are also indicative of a dangerous situation where somebody could get electrocuted, or a fire could start.
What To Do In Electrical Emergencies
What you should do in these kinds of situations will change on a case by case basis. You may be able to resolve the issue yourself, for example, by switching off your main breaker. However, if wires are burning, smoke is coming from a device or wiring, your panel is getting hot, or flickering lights in your breaker panel may indicate a dangerous situation. It would be best if you steered well clear of coming in contact with the problematic device/wires etc.
Stay Calm
Electrical emergencies can be quite stressful, but it is important to stay calm and to approach the situation with a clear head. If somebody has been electrocuted or the situation is critical (such as if power lines have fallen on your home or there is a fire), call emergency services immediately and await instructions.
If someone gets hurt
If somebody in your home has been shocked by an appliance such as a hairdryer, toaster or wall socket, be sure not to touch them as you could be electrocuted too. Unplug the responsible appliance and switch off your home’s power to ensure no further damage is caused. Call emergency services and await instructions. If possible, ensure the injured person is warm, still and lying down until an ambulance arrives.
If there’s a fire
If there is a fire in your home, do not use any water to try and quell the flames. Call emergency services immediately. If you have one on hand and are qualified to use it, use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket to put out the flames. However, you should only do this if the fire is manageable. If the fire is out of hand and you do not have an extinguisher or blanket on hand, leave your home right away.
How To Be Prepared For Electrical Emergencies
Electrical emergencies can happen at any time to anyone, so it’s always good to be prepared.
- Have the contact information for emergency services available in an easy to access part of the house, such as on the fridge or a communal noticeboard. It might also be a good idea to keep your electrical provider’s number handy.
- Purchase a fire extinguisher or fire blanket and ensure that everyone in your home knows where they are and how to use them
- Always have an escape plan, make sure the other occupants of your home know what it is
How To Choose The Best Electrician
No matter how big or small the job at hand, when it comes to this type of work in your home or business – from electrical installation and electrical maintenance to inspections and repairs – it’s important to work with the provider you can trust. But how do you choose the best option? There are a few attributes that the right electrical service for you will have. Let’s take a look at what they are.
Choosing the best service in Sydney will require you to consider a couple of factors. Let’s take a look at what they are.
What Are Their Skills?
The best providers are those who are competent with a range of services and are familiar with working with all kinds of charged components. You don’t want to get stuck in a situation where you need to engage multiple service providers.
Our experienced team have wide skill sets and are more than capable of handling all kinds of charged components that may be required in residences, offices, business and industrial facilities, including:
- Powerpoints
- Light switches
- Dimmers
- Indoor lighting
- Switchboards, control panels and junction boxes
- Wiring
- Ceiling fans
- Outdoor and garden lighting
- Sensor lighting
- Bathroom electrics including lighting, heating and exhaust fans
- TV antennas
- Telephones wiring
- Communications systems
- Emergency lighting
- Smoke alarms
- Security systems
We offer a range of ongoing services too, including general maintenance, electric fault inspection and repairs, rewiring or wiring repairs and safety checks.
Do They Have Good Recommendations?
A great way to quickly and easily assess the reputation of an electrician is to look at their online reviews. The best providers will always have good recommendations on Facebook, Google, and other platforms.
How Well Do They Communicate?
The best electrician will be the one that communicates clearly and in a timely manner – from the first phone call to finishing the job. Expertise is always evident in how well your electrician can answer your questions, how clearly they quote, and the manner in which they interact with you over the course of a job.
We pride ourselves on always putting relationships with our customers first. Having a nimble team means we can offer ongoing support to all of our clients and see that you always know who you are talking to. We always quote transparently, so you know what you’re getting and how much it is going to cost you. If you have any questions about the work we do, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Are They Licensed?
As with any trade, knowing you are working with a certified and qualified electrician will you ensure peace of mind during the job and after its finished. If you do not, you could potentially be placing you, your family, or your staff and your patrons at risk.
We are fully licensed specialists with a wealth of experience in all aspects of the industry. Our entire team is fully qualified and equipped with the skills and knowledge to handle any job you throw at us.
Are They Local?
Repair and maintenance is all about speed and efficiency, therefore working with an electrician who is local is very important. Some issues are even considered electrical emergencies, and may require attention right away – you don’t want to be left in the lurch by a provider who is based on the other side of Sydney.
We pride ourselves on being one of the most reliable and competent electricians in Sydney. If you’re looking for a quote for these services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. If you are experiencing an electrical emergency, contact emergency services immediately.
