Every year, many homes experience electrical emergencies. Natural disasters, accidents, faulty wiring, or bad weather can cause these emergencies. To prevent these issues from becoming more severe, homeowners need to know how to handle them safely.
You will learn how to handle four common electrical emergencies.
1. Contact with an electrical current:
If someone has come into contact with electricity, try to remain calm and stay away from them. Call 911 immediately for help. If you are close to the person and they are still connected to the electrical current, you can also get shocked or electrocuted. Try to stay at least 20 feet away from any high-voltage wire that is exposed. If the wire is jumping and sparking, stand as far away as possible to decrease your chance of being shocked. You can try to cut contact between the person and the electronic source using an insulated object such as a wooden rod or PVC pipe. Make sure to use dry cloths or a towel—never a wet one! Once the victim has been detached from the electrical source, you can perform CPR if necessary.
2. Electrical fires:
Electrical fires can also occur during the winter months. The symptoms of an electrical emergency depend on the severity of the incident. For example, if you are in a room experiencing a power surge, you might notice flickering lights and buzzing noises. In more severe cases, you may see smoke from the outlet or device if there is an electrical fire. It is crucial to cut the system’s power in an electrical fire. You can do this by flipping the breaker switch in your home’s breaker box. If you cannot safely unplug the appliance or if the fire has already started, use a fire extinguisher rated for Class C fires. If you cannot turn off the power, try smothering the fire with a fire blanket or baking soda – but only if you are sure it is safe. Remember to call 911 and exit your home in case of a blaze.
3. Power outages:
You may also experience power outages caused by severe weather. These are common and often the result of an outage in your area. When you experience a power outage, check your breakers to see if you can restore the power. If that doesn’t work, contact the power company to see if there is an outage in your area. If there is no outage, you will want to contact us immediately to diagnose and fix the issue as quickly as possible.
4. Fallen power line:
If a power line falls on your home, assume it is live and has high-voltage electricity flowing through it. Do not touch the line. Call your local power company and they will be able to fix the faulty wiring.
Electrical emergencies can be very dangerous. They can cause serious injury, including death. It is important not to panic in these situations. Based on the severity of the emergency, you can call us or call 911 in more severe cases. Use these tips to keep your family safe this winter.