What to do in an electrical emergency: safety first
In an electrical emergency involving smoke, sparks, fire or an injured person, call 000 immediately and keep everyone away from the danger. Once people are safe and emergency services have what they need, contact a licensed electrician to make the property safe and restore power.
Electrical emergencies are stressful. Knowing the safe order of steps beforehand makes it far easier to stay calm when something goes wrong.
Call 000 first if anyone is in danger
Call 000 straight away if:
- You see smoke, sparks or flames from a power point, appliance, switchboard or wiring.
- Someone has received an electric shock or is injured.
- There are fallen power lines. Stay well clear and keep others away.
- Electrical equipment has been exposed to flooding and you cannot safely leave the area.
Keep people safe while you wait
Get everyone, including pets, away from the affected area. If it is safe to reach the switchboard without passing through smoke, water or danger, emergency services may advise you to turn off the main switch. If in doubt, do not approach it.
Do not touch someone who may still be in contact with electricity. Follow the 000 operator’s instructions.
Not sure what you’re looking at? Ask a licensed electrician.
0431 569 629Urgent but not life-threatening problems
Some situations need an electrician quickly but are not a 000 emergency. Examples include:
- Power out to part of the house while neighbours still have power.
- A safety switch that will not stay on.
- A burning smell with no smoke, or a power point that is hot or discoloured. Stop using it.
- Storm or water damage to outdoor lights or power points.
Prepare now, before anything happens
A few minutes of preparation makes a real difference in a stressful moment:
- Know where your switchboard and main switch are, and make sure they are easy to reach.
- Keep a working torch somewhere everyone knows about.
- Save the number of a licensed electrician in your phone.
- Teach older children that 000 is the number for smoke, sparks, fire or injury.
- Check that your smoke alarms are working as described in the manufacturer’s instructions.
What to tell your electrician
When you call, describe what happened, what you can see or smell, which parts of the home have no power and anything you have already done, such as unplugging appliances. Avoid using the affected area until it has been checked.
Our emergency electrician page explains how we help when your property needs to be made safe or power restored. We do our best to provide prompt assistance across Watsonia, Montmorency and nearby suburbs.
After the emergency
Once the immediate problem is fixed, it is worth finding out why it happened. An electrical safety inspection can identify related hazards, and our safety switch guide covers what to do if tripping continues.
Frequently asked questions
Should I turn off the main switch in an emergency?
Only if it is safe to reach without passing through smoke, water or danger, and follow the 000 operator’s advice.
Can I use water on an electrical fire?
No. Get everyone out and call 000.
Should I keep using a power point that smells hot?
No. Stop using it, unplug appliances if it is safe to do so, and have a licensed electrician check it before it is used again.
When should I call an electrician instead of 000?
For urgent issues without smoke, sparks, fire or injury, such as loss of power or a switch that will not reset.