In An Electrical Emergency, What Should You Do?
In an Electrical Emergency, What Should You Do?
Electrical emergencies can vary on level of severity but anything regarding your electrical system should not be ignored or taken lightly. Electrical emergencies, whether big or small, are dangerous and should be handled with caution and care. There are important things to know when in an electrical emergency in the Greater Seattle Area.
Turn Off Power
If it’s safe to do so without putting yourself in any imminent danger, turn off the power to the electrical system causing the issues. Doing so can prevent further damage and make the site much safer to move around for you, the paramedics and/or the firefighters. You can cut the power supply by flipping the switch in your breaker box. If a fire hasn’t started yet, this could stop the fire before it starts. However, if it’s not safe to do so, steer clear from touching anything that could put you in harm’s way.
Stay Back and Don’t Touch
In the event there is a serious electrical emergency, it’s important you remember to not touch any live wires. In fact, you should stand as far back as you can from it. Wires can sometimes jump and spark and you don’t want to be close by when that happens. Not only should you stay away from live wires, you should make sure to do the same with people who have been impacted, too. If someone comes in contact with electricity, never touch them directly. If you touch someone while they’re still connected to the electrical current, you will also get shocked or electrocuted.
Seek Help
It’s important to call for help when in an electrical emergency no matter how severe the situation. Whether you or someone else needs medical attention, it’s important you call emergency services right away. It’s also important to call 911 in the event of a fire, or even if the fire has been extinguished already. With electrical emergencies, it’s possible for reignition to occur, especially if you weren’t able to turn off the power. By calling emergency services, you can ensure that everything has been checked out.
Practice Fire Safety
While help is on the way, there are still ways to put out any fires that may have been caused by your electrical emergency. You can use a fire extinguisher or smother the fire with a fire blanket or water – as long as the power to the area has been turned off. If you can’t safely extinguish the fire, exit the building and wait for help to arrive.
Types of Electrical Emergencies
There are different types of electrical emergencies that require different levels of caution. However, an electrical emergency, big or small, should never be taken lightly.
Four Types of Electrical Emergencies:
- Power Outages
- Electrical Fires
- Electrical Shocks
- Fallen Power Lines
Call Kanon Electric For A Whole House Safety Inspection
Your safety is our number one priority. Did you know that electrical problems are the number one cause of residential fires in the United States? By receiving a whole house safety inspection from Kanon Electric, you can diagnose any potential fire hazards before you end up in an electrical emergency. A fire can be catastrophic, damaging, and dangerous. And often times, signs of fire hazards aren’t identified until it’s too late. Interested in a whole house safety inspection? Contact us today.
