Our electricity is a great asset – but what do we do when it’s not working? If we don’t look after our electrical appliances properly, or take good care around them, old, faulty appliances and problematic wiring could be the result – leading to potentially dangerous and costly emergencies. If you’re unsure of what to do in an electrical emergency, we’re here to help – keep reading for our informative guide on how to manage the unexpected.
What Are the Most Common Electrical Emergencies?
Most electrical emergencies fall under the following.
Electric Shocks
Our bodies are conductors of electricity. This means that if any part of our body receives an electric shock, the current can easily flow through the rest of our body. Shocks might last a moment or extend for a longer time and can vary in their seriousness. As a result, consequences can range from mild burns to heart damage or even a stopped heartbeat. If you or your family member has received an electric shock, it’s crucial you seek medical attention regardless of the duration or severity of the shock.
Electric shocks are often caused by natural events, such as a lightning strike or a fallen power line, but they can also arise from faulty electronics, such as damaged cords or leads, poorly-installed wiring, or mixing water and electricity.
If someone has received an electric shock, don’t touch them under any circumstances. Instead, turn off the power supply and use a non-conductive item to separate the person from the electrical source before calling for an ambulance as soon as you can.
Fallen Powerlines
A powerline might fall for any number of reasons, though it’s usually due to impact or weather. Fallen powerlines pose a significant risk to safety. Even if lines have fallen, they should still be treated as live. Stay far away from fallen lines and any related objects as much as you can, and contact the police or an electrical company in the meantime.
Electrical Fires
An electrical fire can result from improper maintenance of electrical systems and appliances. Fires are usually caused by faults in appliances and outlets, which can become worn over time and transmit heat to surrounding items and surfaces. Other factors, such as circuit overloading, cheap chargers, lights with high wattage, and portable heaters, can also come into play.
If an electrical fire has broken out in your home, make sure you use a fire extinguisher to eliminate the flames and never throw water – you could cause electrical conduction and potential shock or electrocution. If you notice smoke emanating from your appliance, wiring or outlet, turn it off, along with the switch located in your fuse box. If you can’t contain the fire, call the emergency services as soon as you can.
Power Outage
Power outages, blackouts or cuts are the most common electrical emergencies people face at home. There can be many reasons why power has been cut – these range from fallen lines to bad weather. If you’re facing an electrical outage in your home, make sure you turn off all cooling and heating appliances at the power source and at the circuit breaker, before working out what might have caused the outage. A good place to start is at the circuit breaker, assessing whether it’s tripped. Sometimes, you might be able to fix the problem safely on your own, but in other instances, it might simply be too dangerous.
If the blackout hasn’t been caused by electrical overloading tripping the circuit, faulty wiring might be to blame. An emergency electrician will be able to repair the breaker, wires, or any other issue that might have led to your outage. If it’s determined your electrical systems haven’t caused the blackout, contact your electrical distributor to alert them to the problem.
Once your power is restored, make sure you wait a few moments before using your appliance and before turning on the circuit breaker.
How Can I Reduce My Risk of An Emergency?
Electrical emergencies can be unavoidable, but a great way to prevent them is with routine inspections from a qualified electrical provider such as O'Brien Castle Hill. Such inspections consider the quality of your appliances and wiring, assess any faults, and arrange any necessary repairs to guarantee the safety and security of your home. We have over three decades of experience in the industry and are on hand for 24/7 callouts, installations, repairs and servicing throughout the Castle Hill area and surrounds. Call us today on (02) 9894 4843.
