Electricity quietly powers nearly every aspect of our daily lives, lighting our rooms, charging our devices, and keeping our homes comfortable. But when it suddenly demands our attention—like a smoldering outlet or flickering lights—these are warning signals that something might be seriously wrong.
Recognizing these red flags and knowing when to call an electrician can help prevent costly damage, protect your family’s safety, and give you peace of mind. In this blog, we list clear signs that it’s time to schedule emergency residential electrician services, so you’ll know exactly what to look out for.
1. Smoking Electrical Outlets
Smoke coming from an electrical outlet is a serious emergency. In the U.S. alone, home electrical fires cause about 51,000 fires and $1.3 billion in property damage every year1. Smoking outlets are a warning sign that something is wrong deeper within the wall, and they must be addressed promptly to reduce the risk of electrical fire.
If you notice a smoking outlet, follow these steps immediately:
- Turn off power: Use your circuit breaker to shut off power in that area as quickly as possible.
- Unplug: Only when the power is off, unplug the cord without touching the outlet.
- Assess: Check the wall near the outlet. If the smoke stopped and the wall is at a normal temperature, call an electrician for emergency services. If it’s hot or the smoke hasn’t stopped, call 911 and evacuate the house.
- Use a proper fire extinguisher: Using an extinguisher may keep a small fire from spreading while you wait for help, but only use CO2 or powder-based extinguishers. Never use water to put out an electrical fire.
Only when the situation has been assessed by a licensed electrician should you return power to the circuit. Your electrician will inspect the outlet and the rest of your electrical system to identify the root cause of the issue and offer solutions to prevent it from happening again.
2. Flickering Lights
When LED light bulbs go out, they usually dim gradually before finally going out. While some fluorescent lightbulbs flicker near the end of their lifespan, flickering often indicates a problem with your electrical wiring, not the bulb itself.
Faulty or outdated wiring can cause electrical fires, so it’s important to have a licensed electrician inspect the issue to rule out anything potentially serious.
3. Sizzling or Buzzing Sounds
If you notice any strange buzzing, sizzling, or humming sounds coming from your electrical system, this could indicate a serious wiring problem. Remember, the electricity in your home should generally go unnoticed. It should never make unusual sounds.
To keep your home and family safe, you should call a residential electrician for emergency services the moment you notice this sign.
4. Sparks Coming from Outlets
Every now and then you may notice a brief spark when plugging in an electronic device or appliance. If it’s happening consistently, it could be a sign of an issue like frayed wiring, short-circuiting, outdated outlets, or an overloaded circuit.
No matter the cause, sparks are a major safety hazard that can lead to shock or electrical fires. Instead of trying to determine the root cause of the issue yourself, the safest choice is always to have an electrician rule out or address any serious problems.
5. Your Home Has Water Damage
While calling an electrician may be the last thing on your mind when dealing with water damage, it’s one of the first steps you should take.
Water damage from floods, rain, or leaks can cause serious problems with your electrical system. Although water itself isn’t a conductor of electricity, the chemicals dissolved within it are. Even a small trace of water can cause shocks, short circuits, and fires when it contacts electrical wiring.
Any time your home faces water damage, scheduling an inspection with a licensed electrician can rule out potential hidden dangers you may not be aware of.
Contact the North Bay’s Electrical Safety Experts
Electricity is an invaluable tool that powers our daily lives, but it can also become a safety issue when warning signs go unnoticed. By knowing what to look out for and calling an electrician when something is wrong, you can prevent problems from escalating and keep your home and family safe. If you’re ever unsure whether something is a cause for concern, the best choice for your safety is to contact an electrician so they can check it out.
At Schafer Electric, your safety is always our top priority. For years, our friendly team of licensed electricians has served the North Bay with immense care and attention to detail. We’ll inspect your home for any electrical issues and solve them promptly, so you can rest assured knowing your safety is taken care of.
Contact us online or call (707) 545-3300 to get in touch with a team member today.
References
1. Mammone, S. (2021b, August 17). Home electrical fires. Electrical Safety Foundation. https://www.esfi.org/home-electrical-fires/
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