Your home should be your sanctuary, a place of refuge, and, most importantly, a safe environment. However, an alarming number of accidents happen at home, many of which are preventable. One obvious area of potential danger that deserves attention is electrical faults. Electrical faults were the third leading cause of home fires between 2012-2016, many of which led to fatal consequences.
Fortunately, there is a way to stay ahead of these dangers: by being aware of the signs and calling in an emergency electrician.
At Vetter’s Electric, Forest Lake, MN we offer emergency electrician services.
Major Signs to Look Out For
- Circuit Breakers Keep Tripping Circuit breakers are the first line of defense against major power problems in your electrical circuit. While a local power surge could cause a breaker to trip, constant tripping should be taken seriously. First, identify which circuit is affected, as an overloaded circuit is a common cause. If the problem persists, it’s essential to call an emergency electrician to prevent potential hazards.
- Warm or Hot Power Outlets If you feel warmth or heat coming from sockets or switches, it’s a significant warning sign. This heat could be due to high demand on a circuit or wiring problems and is a precursor to a potential fire. Regularly check your sockets and immediately call an emergency electrician if you notice unusual warmth.
- Flickering Lights Flickering lights are easily noticeable but often ignored. If flickering occurs when you plug in a specific appliance or happens regularly, it may indicate an overload on a circuit or faulty wiring. An emergency electrician can accurately diagnose and fix the issue.
- Sparks When Plugging in Appliances Seeing a spark when plugging in an appliance can be alarming. While light blue sparks, known as arcing, can be normal, large, prolonged sparks that are white or yellow are a sign of potential overloads or improper installation. Sparks can lead to fires, so contact an emergency electrician immediately if you observe such sparks.
- Burning Smells or Smoke A burning smell or smoke is a critical warning sign. If you detect these, switch off your mains and call emergency services. Once the fire department has ensured there is no fire risk, contact an electrician to identify melted wires or other issues. Do not turn the power back on until the problem is resolved.
- Water Damage After a flood or major leak, the dangers of mixing water and electricity cannot be overstated. Damaged cables in a damp environment can cause short circuits and long-term damage, possibly requiring rewiring or replacement of outlets and switches. An emergency electrician should assess the situation before you switch on any power.
- Buzzing Sounds Buzzing sounds from your electrical system are abnormal and could indicate loose screws at a termination point or serious wiring problems. These issues require a professional to diagnose and resolve, so contact an electrician immediately.
Don’t Hesitate to Call an Emergency Electrician
In an ideal world, you shouldn’t notice the electricity in your home. Any noticeable issues should be a cause for concern. If you have any doubts about your electrical system’s safety, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Pick up the phone and contact an emergency electrician.
If you live anywhere in the Forest Lake Minnesota area and need a reliable electrician, Vetter’s Electric is your best choice. With many years of experience, our certified electricians prioritize your safety above all else.
