Why You Need An Emergency Electrician | Conway, SC

6/24/2020

Photo By CHRISsadowski at istock

It’s easy to take electricity for granted. It flows through our homes and powers most of the appliances and technology we use everyday. Electricity can also present a threat in some circumstances. The best way to manage an electrical problem before it becomes a catastrophe is consulting an emergency electrician.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International, ESFI, tracks annual deaths and injuries related to electrical issues. ESFI recorded 160 fatalities in 2018, and 35% occurred in private residences. Another 13% of recorded fatalities occurred along a street or highway. Emergency electricians are always available, and they are essential to preventing fatalities and injuries caused by electrical problems.

External Electrical Dangers

An electrical emergency can be frightening to many people. It is important to stay calm and act quickly. An emergency originating outside the home, such as a downed power line, has to be taken care of by authorities. Stay away from the line and get people and pets out of the area. Wait until the situation is declared safe before going back to your home. Call an emergency electrician when such an event occurs to ensure damage to the power lines didn’t cause power surges or other issues that may have damaged the electric system in your home.

Power Outages

Consider calling an emergency electrician if your power goes out. Power outages in Conway, SC, occur for many reasons and usually affect every home and business connected to the problematic area of the grid. This doesn’t mean anything is wrong with your electrical system. It is only a cause for concern if your home is without power while everything else is unaffected. Your home’s electrical system should be able to handle use of multiple power outlets at the same time. Something is wrong when using one outlet causes problems with an outlet in another part of your home.

Humming or Buzzing

Pay attention to humming and buzzing sounds. They could indicate a potential problem. Electricity causes humming and vibrations for many reasons, including loose ground wires or improper installation. Overloaded outlets can also hum. Dimming lights does not actually lower the intensity of the bulb. It makes the bulb turn on and off rapidly, which can create a humming sound.

Humming from a circuit breaker indicates an overloaded circuit or loose wire. Larger appliances sometimes cause humming when they are turned on and off, but this is normal and does not indicate a problem. Call an emergency electrician if you notice abnormal humming or vibrations.

Night Time Dangers

It is tempting to ignore a power outage or electrical issue during the night. No one really needs electricity while they’re warm in bed, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t a safe assumption. Some appliances and systems in your home need power at all times. Food in refrigerators and freezers can spoil, and the house could become too hot or too cold, depending on the season.

Problems can also go beyond inconvenience. The most dangerous time for a fire is at night when families tend to be asleep. Do not ignore power outages or other indications of a problem during the night with the intent of leaving it until morning to deal with. Emergency electricians are available at all hours, including weekends and holidays, because emergencies do not always occur during business hours.

Faulty Wiring or Outlets

Faulty house wiring is the most common cause of electrical shocks, followed closely by faulty appliances. Stop using an appliance immediately if you noticed a frayed or damaged cord. Do not try to repair damaged extension cords. Dispose of them right away so they can not be used accidentally.

Modern outlets are grounded by a third wire that functions as a path for electric current. A grounded outlet is safer than leaving it ungrounded, but even a grounded outlet can feel hot, produce smoke, or cause burns. This happens when the wiring in a home is outdated or insufficient for the number of appliances and devices plugged into any given outlet.

Older wiring can become damaged or degraded, which leads to shorting out. Substandard parts or poor installation of the original wiring are risk factors for electrical fires. A smoking or hot outlet must be treated as an emergency. Sometimes electrical fires are not immediately visible, and they may not start in a place where smoke is easily noticed. The smell of burning plastic or wood may indicate a fire somewhere out of sight, especially if the first starts within a wall. Contact emergency services immediately and get people and pets out of the home.

A fire extinguisher can help if the fire is isolated, but don’t take any chances. If the fire is large or there are fires in more than one location within the home, wait for proper authorities. Call an emergency electrician if you notice an outlet is unusually warm. Addressing the problem early may prevent a fire.

Flooding and Water Damage

Water and electricity need to be kept apart, and this is usually not too difficult. Unfortunately, it can’t always be avoided. Most people do not think of an emergency electrician when a pipe bursts, a roof leaks, or heavy precipitation causes flooding within a home. Unfortunately, water can easily damage electrical systems and cause even bigger problems. Wading into a blood basement can lead to a potentially life-threatening shock.

Have an electrician evaluate the situation before entering a room or building with water damage. An electrician will turn off all power to the home and possibly shut off the electric meter as well. There is a risk of stray power reaching your home’s electrical system from generators or homes in the surrounding area and on the same power grid.

Call Mister Sparky in Conway, SC, to consult an emergency electrician if you suspect an electrical problem in your home. The highly trained professionals can help you keep your home and family safe.