When your electrics go pop, it’s not always easy to know how serious the situation is. After all, who hasn’t had to grab a torch and some candles during a power cut, or experienced the frustration of a blown fuse? So, what are the signs that will help you spot a full-blown electrical emergency from an inconvenient occurrence? Take a look through the checklist below to help you decide when it’s best to call an emergency electrician.
Is everyone safe?
First and foremost, is anyone injured? If so, the first thing you must do is immediately turn off the power supply to your home or premises. The next thing to do is to avoid touching the injured person. Anyone who’s had an electric shock may still have electricity running through them, and if you touch them, the electricity will jump to you. If you need to move them, or remove an electrical implement from their hand, then be sure to use something which doesn’t conduct electricity, such as a wooden broom handle.
Is it an isolated problem?
Secondly, if you’ve had a power cut, are other buildings in your street affected? If not, then it could be a specific problem with your electricity supply or wiring, and in that case, it won’t be solved by just waiting for your electricity provider to switch your power back on. While you might be able to investigate the source of the problem at the fuse box, there may be a deeper electrical emergency which needs exploring; if so, then you need to ring an emergency electrician so they can identify and correct the source of your problem.
Are your appliances behaving strangely?
Thirdly, is an appliance sparking or smoking? If so, unplug it immediately, turn the power off at the wall and check for any tripped circuit breakers in the fuse box. If one has tripped, and the plug or cord show signs of damage, then the problem is probably with the appliance. But if the plug or cord show no signs of damage, then it could be a problem with the electrical socket and should be checked out by a Southend-on-Sea Emergency Electrician as soon as possible.
Is there water in the property?
Fourthly, has water entered the premises? If so, only turn off the mains electricity if it’s safe to do so. You mustn’t touch any switches, sockets or electrical equipment if either they’re wet, or you’re standing in water, as this could result in injury. Additionally, water can affect internal wiring throughout the building, as well as electrical equipment, so you will need an emergency electrician to not only secure the premises correctly but also to assess any long-term or hidden damage caused by the water.
Do any of the above apply? Call Powerlec Electrical & Testing today!
A good, reliable and registered emergency electrician can prove to be vital if such an electrical emergency occurs. To find the best, try to make sure that they’re on the NICEIC Approved Contractor Scheme, which lists those electricians whose skills have been tested against a specific set of competency requirements.
Also, an emergency electrician in Southend-on-Sea who’s a member of the Electrical Contractors’ Association is a good choice, while it is always worth looking out for Trustmark approval. Powerlec Electrical & Testing Ltd is both of these. Get in touch today by calling 01702 952 951, 07779 322 154 or by filling out our handy contact form for a prompt, professional call-back from one of our electrical emergency experts.
