Dealing with an electrical emergency can be extremely dangerous, so it’s important to know the right steps to take to avoid risk and resolve issues quickly. You can be more prepared to respond in an emergency by learning what to look for, how to respond and who to contact.
What Is An Electrical Emergency?
Emergency electrical issues may include any of the following:
- Power outages
- Wiring faults
- Emergency lighting issues
- Power surges
- Defective wiring
- Electrical equipment malfunctions
- Downed power lines
- Sparking or burning smells from outlets
The Potential Risks
Electrical emergencies pose a serious risk to any nearby person or property and that’s why it’s important for anyone who works with electricity to understand dangers such as sparks, electrocution and fire. It’s essential for everyone involved in an electrical emergency to be aware of safety protocols, including shutting off power at the source and avoiding water. In cases where there is a chance of danger, it may be necessary to evacuate the surrounding area whilst waiting for emergency personnel.
Employees who work with or around electricity should receive proper training and knowledge on how to respond effectively in case of an emergency. Protective jackets and gloves should always be worn when engaging with any live electrical issues and taking precautionary steps before trouble arises will minimise the chances of injury.
How Should You Respond In An Electrical Emergency?
Safety first–do not attempt to fix electrical issues on your own. If you come across any of these signs, move to a safe location and call emergency services for assistance. If safe to do so, turn off your power until help arrives and remove yourself from harm’s way.
An unexpected power outage may not require emergency services, although they can cause havoc in the home and workplace. It’s important to establish the cause of the outage to save stress and ensure you call the right service provider. Check the main switchboard in your property, as well as all circuit breakers. It also pays to look for signs of disruption in your local area that may be causing the outage, such as extreme weather or regional breakdowns. Unless essential services are affected, there’s a good chance you’re able to save yourself time by quickly running through these steps prior to picking up the phone.
At O'Brien Electrical Alexandria, we carry everything we need in our custom vans to fix most electrical issues in a single visit. With decades of experience in all aspects of commercial and residential electrical work- especially with dealing with electrical emergencies across the Eastern Suburbs- our qualified, licensed and insured electricians will assist you as soon as possible and exceed your expectations in a highly stressful situation.
Local Suburbs We Can Assist In Electrical Emergencies 24/7
- Watsons Bay
- Vaucluse
- Dover Heights
- North Bondi
- Bondi
- Tamarama
- Waverley
- Clovelly
- Randwick
- Maroubra
Emergency Contacts
- For a life-threatening emergency, call 000 (triple zero). This will provide access to ambulance services, the fire department and the police.
- Fire and Rescue NSW is responsible for firefighting, rescue and HazMat services across the state. They can be reached at (02) 9265 2999.
- NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is a service dedicated to assisting the community in times of natural and man-made disasters. Call 132 500.
- At O'Brien Electrical Alexandria, we have emergency electricians available 24/7 to help when it’s most needed. If you’re located in the Eastern Suburbs, you can expect us to respond quickly, keep you informed and resolve the issue promptly. You can contact us by calling (02) 8355 9944.
Other Useful Contacts
- The Emergency+ App uses GPS functionality to help 000 callers provide critical location details in an emergency.
- It’s a good idea to get to know your local council and how they can assist in an emergency.
Local Councils In The Eastern Suburbs
Woollahra Municipal Council
Watsons Bay, Vaucluse
Ph: 9391 7000
After-hours service: 9391 7000
Waverly Council
Dover Heights, North Bondi, Bondi, Tamarama, Waverly
Ph: 9083 8000
After-hours service: 9083 8000
Randwick City Council
Clovelly, Randwick, Maroubra
Ph: 02 9093 6000 or 1300 722 542
After-hours service: 1300 722 542
Always remember- no matter how confident you may be in your DIY skills, when it comes to electrical work, calling a licensed electrician is always the safest option.
If you think that you are currently experiencing an electrical emergency after checking all of the above, give us a call on (02) 8355 9944 so that we can organise an emergency electrician to assist you ASAP.
