Electrical Emergency, electrical fires at home account for about 51,000 fires each year, more than 500 deaths, nearly 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. Not preparing for an electrical fire can cost you your property, business, valuables, or life. It behooves you to be prepared.
Types of Electrical Emergencies:
Electrical problems are usually minor, but, as with most things, context matters, and a small electrical problem in the right circumstances can become electrical emergency
Power Outages:
Power outages, also called power failures or blackouts, are the most common electrical emergency. It can occur for many reasons and can be irritating or dangerous. If you have a power outage, here are some steps to take right away.
Check the neighborhood – See if it’s the entire neighborhood that’s dark or just your house. If there’s a larger outage problem, turn off sensitive appliances (you don’t want them damaged as the power comes on suddenly.) Contact your power provider and wait until they restore power.
Check the breaker – Check the circuit breaker as often this is the problem. Make sure you always have a flashlight handy with fresh batteries for just such an occasion. If it does trip, turn the power back on and make sure you evenly distribute the electrical appliances throughout your house.
It may be the wiring- If the breaker didn’t trip, it might be the wiring to the breaker or in your walls. Call a trained professional as soon as you can!
If you have frequent power outages, it might be time to invest in a power generator for your home.
Electrical Fire:
Overloaded, faulty, or exposed wires or something flammable placed too close to a light bulb are the most common causes of electrical fires.
Cut the power – Switch off your circuit breaker! Switching off the breaker will stop feeding the fire and prevent dangerous shocks.
Use a fire extinguisher- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, know where it is, and learn how to use it. Aim it at the fire and extinguish the flame.
Call the fire department- Call the fire department as even though it’s out, there may still be enough residual heat to cause a problem.
Leave – Make sure everyone is out of your house and safe until the experts arrive.
Electrical Shock:
Electric shocks can happen in many ways, from mixing water and electricity inside the home (bathrooms and kitchens are especially vulnerable) or outside the home (a puddle near the garage or wires near the pool, etc.) to someone coming in contact with frayed cords or damaged outlets. Electrical shocks can be a life or death situation.
Cut the power – If you are near the breaker panel, turn it off. If not, unplug the electricity source with a non-conductive object like a PVC pipe or a wooden broom handle.
Don’t touch the person- While the electricity is on, do not touch the person as you risk getting shocked. Once the electricity is off, follow these medical steps immediately.
Call 911- to call emergency services and get help as quickly as possible.
Fallen electrical lines:
Fallen power lines are hazardous, and you should avoid them if you can, but if they are in your path or near your house, you need to know what to do.
Stay at least 35 feet away – A fallen electrical line may be alive even if it doesn’t give off sparks. To avoid any accidents, stay at least 35 feet from the power line. Also, avoid anything that may conduct electricity, such as puddles or metal gates.
Don’t touch anything the line is touching- Be safe and avoid contact with anything, even a tree, the line is touching.
Alert emergency services – Let the power company know as soon as possible about the problem.
Feel free to Contact Us. Learn more about the Electrical store. See our products and services.
Read more about blogs