Need An Emergency Electrician: How To Handle An Electrical Emergency Properly | Myrtle Beach, SC
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The electrical system distributing power to your lights and appliances will experience problems in some cases that require quick and professional help. Electricity is necessary for the modern home but still poses many safety hazards.
Besides having potential hazards, electrical emergencies are also inconvenient. Anything from poor wiring to faulty appliances can provide electrical hazards to your home or workplace in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Knowing what to do before, during, and after an electrical emergency helps you avoid the dangers of electricity. Check out our professional guide below on handling electrical emergencies like a pro.
Types of Electrical Emergencies
Below is a list of everyday electrical situations that should prompt you to call for an emergency electrician in Myrtle Beach, SC.
1. Fallen Power Lines
Power lines connect the home’s electrical system to the electrical grids. Lines tend to fall for multiple reasons, the most common one being impact with the power lines, for instance, high winds (storms) and car crashes. Power lines have very high current levels and can cause shock, fire, and death. When fallen, you should treat them as live, despite evidence to prove otherwise.
Avoid moving fallen power lines or getting anywhere near them. Additionally, please do not attempt to drive over them. More importantly, always call an emergency electrician after calling your electrical provider.
2. Power Outages
Power outages can happen for several reasons and are the most common electrical emergency homeowners experience. If you just experienced a power outage, it is most likely an issue with your local transformer or storms. In other instances, one of your neighbors possibly has overloaded their electrical system, and the entire block suffers the effects.
However, if none of these is the possible cause, a sudden power outage points to a severe electrical emergency. Power outages may result from weak or frayed wires in the electrical system. This is a severe fire hazard requiring immediate attention. Start by calling an emergency electrician to diagnose the problem professionally and provide appropriate solutions.
3. Noisy Breaker Box
A crackling, buzzing, or humming breaker box is unexpected and should be dealt with immediately. The breaker box is protected by a circuit breaker that makes it stop or ‘trip’ if the electrical current experiences some form of snag or in the event of an overload.
Failure to do as intended, your circuit will start to burn, leading to unexpected buzzes, crackles, or hums. An overloaded breaker box failing to trip or stop in an electric current issue is a fire and shock hazard. Immediately stop using running electrical appliances and call an electrician as soon as possible.
4. Burning Smells
Is any part of your electrical system smelling like it’s on fire? If your electrical system is giving off a burning smell, this is a sign that the damage may be beyond home repair. If you can pinpoint the smell’s source, share that information with the attending electrician.
5. Burnt Outlets
Any electrical issue is an emergency, even burnt outlets. Have you noticed brown stains around the interior outlets? This is a severe electrical problem needing further diagnosis from an emergency electrician. Burnt outlets could indicate overloaded outlets ready to catch fire.
In such an instance, do not touch the outlet. Also, avoid plugging anything into the outlet. Inspect all the remaining outlets for similar warning signs of overloaded outlets. Contact an electrician to correct the issue and guarantee your safety.
6. Electrical Fires
Faulty electrical systems typically cause an electrical fire. However, they can also be a result of faulty electrical appliances. Electrical fires are highly hazardous. Despite putting out an electrical fire, we recommend calling an emergency electrician to help determine signs of extensive damage.
Things to Do During An Electrical Emergency
In case you encounter an electrical emergency, below are things you can do in the meantime:
- Avoid body contact with someone under electrical shock. If someone receives a severe electrical shock, your first instinct would be to provide them with first aid. However, before doing so, it is vital to understand that the human body is a robust electrical conductor, meaning you are likely to be affected upon contact. Provided that electricity can seriously injure or kill someone, it is advisable to limit the number of exposures.
- Switch off the primary power source. Switch off the main power to all the heating and cooling appliances powered via the circuit breaker. Ensure you switch off the branches before the primary circuit breaker. This is to protect your appliances from an electrical surge. Then, cut off the power supply at the source. This stops the fire promptly and reduces the chances of accidental electric shocks.
- Use a fire extinguisher. In the case of an electrical fire, it is essential to know how to put out a fire and have the resources for it. Putting out an electrical fire as you wait for an emergency electrician helps contain the damage. If you couldn’t cut the power to the fire source, using a class-C rated fire extinguisher is advisable. Such an extinguisher uses dry chemical extinguishers or carbon dioxide. Use a water-based class-A fire extinguisher if you manage to cut off the power to the fire source. However, if you cannot put out an electrical fire for lack of resources or technical know-how, call us as soon as possible to send in an electrician to assist.
- Call for Help. This is the most critical part of an electrical emergency. An expert emergency electrician from Mister Sparky can be at your place in the shortest time possible to diagnose and assist accordingly.
Emergency Electrician, Myrtle Beach, SC
Are you experiencing unexpected power outages or other electrical emergencies in your home or office? At Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach, we serve all our clients regardless of the issues at hand. Our emergency electricians are always available to help with any situation, from electrical outages to electrical fires. We are available 24/7 and at your convenience. Call us today for emergency electrical services in Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas.