An emergency situation can happen with your home’s electrical system at any moment, and you shouldn’t hesitate to call a professional electrician if you notice any problems that need urgent attention. Mister Sparky can send a qualified electrician to your location to resolve your issue quickly.
What Is an Electrical Emergency?
Some electrical problems are minor and can be resolved at a convenient time, but an electrical emergency requires fast action. These emergencies often put homes and families in danger and may increase fire and electrocution risks and cause major home damage if they aren’t resolved quickly.
TL;DR – Quick List of Electrical Emergencies
- Burning or fishy smell from outlets or wires
- Frequent tripping of circuit breakers
- Smoke or sparks from outlets or appliances
- Constant dimming or flickering of lights
- Power outage in only part of the home
- Exposed or damaged wiring
- Electrical panels, outlets or plates that have scorch marks or feel hot to the touch
If you notice any of these troubling signs in your home, stop using power in the affected area and call a licensed emergency electrician ASAP.
Why Ignoring Electrical Problems Can Be Deadly
Overloaded circuits, flickering lights and buzzing sounds from electrical fixtures are among the troubling signs that sometimes go ignored, but these potential dangers could signify bigger problems that pose major safety hazards if the issues aren’t resolved.
A real-life example of this occurred in early 2025, when a family in Quincy, IL, narrowly escaped their rental home after an electrical fire started. A few months earlier, an inspection revealed wire and outlet problems that the landlord continued to ignore. Had the necessary electrical repairs been made, this fire could have been prevented.
Within a four-year period from 2015 to 2019 alone, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) reported that 46,700 home fires occurred from electrical failure or malfunction. These fires resulted in 1,350 injuries and 390 deaths. The agency’s statistics also show that these fires caused an estimated $1.5 billion in direct property damage per year.
Unresolved electrical problems can quickly become life-threatening if an electrical malfunction emits smoke in your home or starts a fire that grows uncontrollably. You could also be held legally liable or have your insurance claim denied if you failed to resolve any electrical problems that started a fire or caused other serious damage.
7 Electrical Emergency Signs That Require Immediate Help
If you notice any of these seven signs of an electrical emergency in your home, you shouldn’t wait and hope that the problem will resolve itself. An emergency electrician can diagnose the problem correctly and get your home’s electrical system back in working order.
1. Burning or Fishy Smell from Outlets or Panel
A burning or fishy smell from an electrical outlet or panel could result from a circuit overload or melted insulation. Arcing, which occurs when an electrical current jumps through the air from an electrical source to another conductor or object, can also cause these unusual smells because of the high heat that’s often generated from the process.
If you notice a burning smell coming from any outlet or panel, shut off the power at the main panel immediately and call an electrician for assistance.
2. Frequent Breaker Trips
Short or overloaded circuits may cause the circuit breaker to “trip,” or shut off power unexpectedly, as a safety mechanism. A ground fault, which happens when an electrical current veers off its intended course and goes into the ground, is another safety hazard that can trip the breaker.
If you find yourself resetting your circuit breaker repeatedly, call an electrician for an inspection. Proper labeling of each circuit breaker can also help you identify any breakers that are shutting down regularly so that you can give the electrician more specific details of your problem.
3. Flickering or Dimming Lights
Flickering or dimming lights could simply mean that one or more bulbs need replacing, but you should definitely call an electrician if the problem persists after changing the bulbs or if all lights are losing power.
HVAC cycling or large appliances that run constantly can also make the inside of your home look darker, but problems with flickering or dimming lights are sometimes tied to fluctuating voltage, loose wiring and panel failure.
4. Partial Power Loss in Your Home
Losing power in part of your home isn’t usually a utility issue, and the problem could be stemming from internal wiring faults or a failing breaker.
To be on the safe side, it’s best to avoid using any electricity in the affected area even if the power is restored and call an electrician instead to run diagnostic testing and determine the exact cause of the problem.
5. Sparks or Electrical Arcing
A small spark that you see when you plug something into an outlet is likely harmless, but larger, more frequent sparks or noticeable electrical arcing could be a dangerous warning sign of outlet damage or conductor exposure.
It’s never advisable to plug in an outlet that is damaged or has exposed wiring. If this problem occurs in your home, call an electrician immediately to investigate the situation.
6. Exposed or Chewed Wires
Wires can become exposed or otherwise damaged if they weren’t installed properly or were damaged during a home renovation project. Household pets can also damage wires by chewing on them.
Damaged wires can increase shock and fire risks, and you should shut off power to appliances or other electrical system components with damaged wiring until an electrician can repair or replace the wires.
7. Hot or Discolored Outlets and Switches
Old outlets and switches may get dirt or dark smudges on them from repeated use, but the discoloration could also come from heat buildup caused by a failed connection or arcing.
Never ignore black smudges around outlets or switches or heat or buzzing sounds coming from these components, as these could be signs of electrical hazards.
Step-by-Step Guide for What to Do in an Emergency
If you experience an electrical emergency in your home and need to act right away, there are some proactive measures that can be taken to try to keep the situation under control until a professional arrives.
Turn Off the Power
By switching off the power to the main breaker, you can cut the electrical supply that may be fueling a fire or causing other serious problems. Main breakers are often located in basements, garages or utility rooms, or you might find your breaker outside your home in an exterior panel on a wall or near the meter.
Don’t Touch Damaged Devices
A damaged electrical device could still be harmful even if you don’t see any smoke, fire or sparks coming from it. This is often especially true if a damaged device is wet or has water near it.
Evacuate if Necessary
You shouldn’t wait to evacuate yourself, your family and any household pets from your home if an electrical fire starts or you notice smoke or burning smells. Smoke and burning smells could also mean that an electrical fire is burning inside the walls even if you don’t see any flames.
Call a Licensed Emergency Electrician
It’s always a good idea to have an emergency electrician on speed dial in case an urgent situation ever comes up with your electrical system. You can be sure that you’ll get fast service from Daytona’s on-time electrician when you call Mister Sparky about any type of electrical emergency.
How to Prevent Electrical Emergencies
Annual electrical inspections should be scheduled to look for damaged or outdated components or other hidden dangers that could quickly become electrical emergencies. You can also prevent a disaster by having aging panels (especially those that predate the 1980s) replaced by an expert electrician. You can decrease your chances of an electrical emergency even more by using surge protectors for sensitive devices and avoiding overloading the outlets and circuits in your home.
Finally, you can prevent electrical emergencies by hiring a professional electrician to do any repairs or replacements instead of trying to do the work yourself. Thankfully, an expert from Mister Sparky is always available to take on your project.
When to Call 911 vs. When to Call an Emergency Electrician
Electrical emergencies can usually be resolved quickly by qualified electricians, but certain situations call for immediate help from firefighters or other first responders.
If an electrical malfunction has sparked a fire and emits smoke, 911 should be called immediately. You should also call first responders if an electrical issue has caused electrical shock, electrocution or some other serious injury.
However, if a more minor issue that still needs prompt attention occurs, such as losing power, an emergency electrician can generally resolve the issue without the need for intervention from first responders.
Bonus tip: By keeping your electrical service panel clearly labeled, an emergency electrician or any first responders who may need to access it can do so easier and resolve the problem faster.
FAQs About Electrical Emergencies
If my electrical problem happens at night, can I wait until the morning to call an electrician?
This is only advisable if there’s no fire or heat or none of your electrical system components are emitting sparks or burning smells. It’s also best to call an emergency electrician as soon as possible if you experience a total power outage.
What’s the average cost of an emergency electrical visit?
The exact cost depends on the specific work that needs to be done and time that it takes to complete the work along with how soon you need the electrician to come to you. On average, the cost of an emergency electrical visit ranges from $150 to $500.
Are flickering lights always dangerous?
Flickering lights are not always dangerous or need urgent attention. However, you should schedule with an electrician right away if your lights flicker consistently, as this could be a sign of a serious wiring problem.
What are some of the best items to have in an emergency kit in case of an electrical emergency?
A flashlight and extra batteries are good to have so that you’ll be able to see clearly if the power goes out at night. First aid supplies, such as adhesive bandages and antibiotic ointment, should also be included to treat any injuries from an electrical malfunction. You can also include a fire extinguisher so that you can try to put out any minor fires that start, but you also shouldn’t wait until it’s too late and the fire has grown too big to evacuate your home safely.
Call Mister Sparky for 24/7 Emergency Electrical Help
Your safety can’t wait, and time is of the essence in an electrical emergency. Mister Sparky is dedicated to providing fast and reliable service, and our expert, licensed electricians can handle all electrical issues big and small. We provide 24/7 service to Daytona, FL, and the surrounding communities.
Don’t put up with any malarky! Call Mister Sparky to get the professional electrical emergency service you deserve.