HOW TO HANDLE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTRICAL EMERGENCIES

Do You Have an Electrical Emergency?

There are many types of emergency situations that could arise from electricity. There could be faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. Electricity can be dangerous or fatal, so it’s always recommended to let a professional electrician in Clermont County take a look.

Still, bad things can happen at any time. If you have an electrical fire, get shocked, or experience a power outage, we want you to be prepared. You can also take steps to prevent these problems.

If you need help, feel free to call our electrician at Turner On Services!

How to React to an Electrical Fire

One of the scariest things about an electrical fire is that it can happen at any time. Because it involves an arc flash between wiring, it could be caused by bad wiring or improper installation. Unfortunately, that arc could occur at the time of installation or years later. Whatever the cause of your electrical fire, they’re more common than you might think. It’s important to know how to react if you’ve got a fire in your house. An electrician near me is your best option to deal with one, but here are some ways to stop an electrical fire:

1. The first thing you should do is turn off the power. Without a source of electricity, the fire might not spread. In some cases, it could stop the fire completely. If you’re not sure how to cut off the power, go to your electrical panel or fuse box and shut off the switch.
2. By turning off the power, you can prevent electrical shock to anyone trying to put out the fire. You also open up your options to putting out the electrical fire.
3. Stay calm in an emergency. If you’re unable to shut off the power or put out the fire, you need to leave quickly. Stay under the smoke and find an exit while covering your mouth. Once outside, call 9-1-1.
4. With the power off, you can try to use a blanket, carpet, or something similar to smother the fire. Water can also be used to remove the oxygen from the fire, putting it out. If the power’s still on, though, don’t go near the fire or use water.
5. Everyone should have a fire extinguisher, but you should also know how to use it. If the power’s still on, you have to use a Class-C extinguisher. Class-A types are good if the power’s off, because they’re water-based. To make it work, pull the pin and point the nozzle at the fire. Squeeze the handle and make sure the fire is gone completely.
6. Whether you put the fire out or not, call 9-1-1. Anything burned could reignite, so you want an electrician in Batavia, OH or fireman to check your property either way. You’ll also need to replace any used fire extinguisher, even if it’s not empty.

Steps to Prevent an Electrical Fire

There are things that you can do to minimize the risk of an electrical fire in your home. The best method is to have an annual inspection by a trained electrician. However, that’s not the only thing you can do. You might be surprised how many electrical panels are labeled wrong, but it happens. Making sure that your panel has the right labels is important. You should also make sure that your panel’s emergency shut-off works, too. Here are some other steps you can take:

1. Don’t put anything flammable near outlets, especially one that you’re using.
2. Power strips can be helpful, but they can also cause an outlet to be overloaded. With too many devices plugged into a single source, you can quickly overwhelm that circuit and cause an electrical fire.
3. It’s also good to use surge protectors to keep your devices safe in the event of a power surge.

How to Handle Electrical Shock

While most people do their best to avoid being shocked, it can happen to anyone. There are things you can do to prevent an electrical shock, of course. There are also levels to the danger, like wires near water. Here’s a good start to your electrical shock emergency plan:

1. It may seem like common sense, but staying back from a high-voltage wire can save your life. In fact, the safest distance is 20 or more feet back. If you notice the wire moving, it’s recommended to increase that distance.
2. No matter what, don’t touch someone that’s being shocked. Electricity can jump to you if that happens and then you’re just as likely to be electrocuted. Call 9-1-1 and try to shut off the source of electricity, if possible.
3. If someone is being shocked, you can’t touch them. However, you can try to separate them from the source. If you can’t shut off the power, you can use something insulated to disconnect them. PVC pipe, rubber, and wood can be effective. Don’t use anything wet, though.
4. Time is of the essence when someone is being shocked. The longer they’re electrocuted, the worse the damage can be. If it takes too long to remove them from the connection, electrical shock can be fatal.
5. You should always try to shut off the power. Whether it’s the fuse to that circuit or the emergency shut-off to your whole home, an open electrical wire can be dangerous or even fatal.
6. Act quickly to shut the power off or disconnect the shocked person, but make sure you call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. The operator can walk you through medical assistance until professionals get there to help. Since electricity can have major short- or long-term effects, you should do as instructed regardless of what the victim says. If you need an electrical panel replacement in Batavia, OH give us a call today!

Ways to Prevent Electrical Shock

The first step to stopping a problem is making sure there isn’t one in the first place. That’s why our team of electricians want to give you ways to keep an electrical shock from happening. The good news is that there are many things you can do.

Keep outlets covered around children. Once they’re old enough, explain electrical safety to them. While we recommend hiring an electrician near me for your needs, we also know that some homeowners like to do things themselves.

If you decide to do small repairs yourself, you should call us about anything you’re not sure of. Improper wiring is a big cause of shocks and electrical fires. You should also have a safety shift-off switch in your home.

These control the amount of electricity going through a circuit and turn it off if there’s an issue. Since electrical problems can happen at any time, this is always recommended. If you need help, contact us today for any electrical needs!

What to Do if There’s a Power Outage

Out of everything, a power outage is the emergency you’ll most likely deal with. It could be from bad weather, a blown transformer, or an electrical service issue. Blackouts are often out of your control, so it’s good to be prepared. Here are some things to consider:

If you know a storm is coming or you want to be ready, have an emergency kit set up. Flashlights, candles, batteries, matches, water, food, and a handheld radio are all good ideas. You’ll also want to make sure your kit’s easy to get to.

Don’t panic. While it could be something mentioned earlier, it could also be a blown fuse or breaker. Try to reset your electrical panel, just in case.

Have a mobile phone that’s charged for communication. In the case of an emergency, you’ll need a way to call 9-1-1.

Get more information by calling your service provider. They’ll be able to tell you how long you’ll be without power and what they’re doing to fix it.

Make sure that your appliances are turned off. Start with the circuits first, then your electrical panel. When the power comes back on, you don’t want them to be damaged.

Surge protectors can keep your appliances safe when the power comes back on, too.

Protect the food in your freezer by keeping the door closed. This will keep things cold longer.

You might also want a portable generator for a back-up power source.

Don’t turn things on right when the power returns. Electricity can be fickle, and it could damage or ruin your electronic devices. When it comes back on, turn on your panel or main breaker, then the individual circuits.

If you want to know more information on a power outage, feel free to call our electrician at Turner On Services today!

How to Avoid a Power Outage

There are things you can do to lower the chances of a blackout in your home. If you use solar panels, you can store energy in a battery bank. We already mentioned it, but a whole-home or portable generator is a great option to have.

This is especially important if you need medical equipment to stay on. In that situation, a power outage could be fatal. Let your distributor know, and you might be able to get a special supply of power during an outage.

If you need an electrician in Clermont County, you can trust Turner on Services with all of your electrical needs. We’ll check your hookups and wiring to make sure that you’re in the best position to be safe during a power outage!

Don’t hesitate to ask about lighting services in Batavia, OH!