How to Handle an Electrical Emergency at Home
- Written by Chloe Taylor
Today, we have dozens of electrical appliances, gadgets, and lights in our homes, on top of all the wires and cables that run through the walls. This allows for a lot of space when it comes to faults and possible electrical emergencies. So what do you do if something malfunctions and you have sparks flying all over the place? Here are a few things to keep in mind when handling an electrical emergency:
Turn off the power
Whenever you have an electrical emergency, make sure to turn off the power first. In case you have a minor issue like an appliance that doesn’t function properly, start by switching them off and removing the plug. To turn off the power in the affected area, find the fuse box and switch off the power. This should remove any electricity from the current and allow you to rest easy until the electrician comes to check out the issue and fix it.
Evacuate
If the electrical emergency is a little more serious (if there are sparks flying or fire involved), make sure to evacuate everyone from home. This will remove any injuries caused to the residents and ensure everyone is safe and sound. In the best-case scenario, you would go outside after turning off the power and extinguishing the fire.
Have an electrician on speed dial
In any electrical emergency, don’t try to touch and fix anything yourself. In Australia, there are laws that prevent civilians from messing with the electrical installations, so don’t try to be a hero, but wait for the electrician to come. In case there’s an electrical issue in your home, call an experienced electrician from Northern Beaches and they will give you tips on what to do. In most cases, they will come right away and check on your grid and appliances. Professionals know exactly what to do and how to do it in the safest way possible.
Learn how to respond to electrocution
Let’s say someone was electrocuted with a high-voltage outlet or wire. In that case, maintain your distance and do not rush to touch the person. Before you administer any help, switch off the electric supply. If you can’t get to the main switch but you know the person is still touching the electric source, use a wooden rod or a dry PVC pipe to remove loose wires. After that, you can try to administer CPR until you wait for emergency services.
If there’s water around the body, be extra careful because water is a great conductor and can increase the risk of electrocution. This is why many people decide to switch to GFCI outlets in wet and humid environments like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. A GFCI device is constantly on the lookout for ground faults, can detect any leaks in the current, and shut off the power supply in case there’s an issue. These are much faster in response time than fuses and circuit breakers, and they are not too expensive to install, so consider consultations with your electrician.
Have a fire extinguisher at hand
The most common reason for residential fires in Australia is due to electronics and electric systems. In many cases, fires break out due to misuse of appliances, so it’s important to know how to handle your electronics and the risks behind wrong handling. The best thing you can do for the safety of your appliances, property, and residents is to avoid the overuse of outlets and practice regular maintenance of your home.
If an emergency occurs and you end up with a fire, make sure to have a proper fire extinguisher. There are different types of fire extinguishers, all made for different types of fire, so get informed. When there’s fire coming out of your outlet, electrical appliance, or cable, don’t use water to extinguish it. While water can be used for some types of fire, using it on electricity can make the situation even more dangerous.
Call firefighters
If you can’t extinguish an electrical fire yourself, make sure to exit your house and call firefighters. By calling 000 in Australia, you’ll get a service that will connect you to the right emergency provider, in this case, the fire brigade. Don’t re-enter your home to get your valuables, but wait until professionals come, put out the fire, and clear the building for entry.
It’s easy to panic when you see sparks, smell smoke, or notice fire coming out of your appliance, but it’s crucial to remain calm. Remember to turn off the power, call professionals and
