Although no homeowner wants to deal with an electrical emergency, these situations are sometimes inevitable. When you find yourself dealing with a major residential electrical problem, the last thing you want is to be unprepared. As you read this helpful guide, you will learn more about the steps you should take during several common sorts of electrical emergencies.

Dealing with an electrical fire:

Electrical fires typically happen because faulty wiring short circuits or frayed cords are left too close to soft furnishings, such as draperies. If you experience an electrical fire, the first thing you should do after notifying your local fire department is flip the appropriate switch on the breaker box to cut the power to the appliance that is causing the blaze. 

If you are unable to safely get to your breaker box, use a fire extinguisher or attempt to smother the flames with a fire blanket or buckets of water until the authorities arrive. The most important thing to keep in mind during a fire is that your family’s safety must come first! If at any point the fire begins to grow or you feel unsafe, evacuate your residence immediately. 

Dealing with electrical shock: 

Experiencing electrical shock is generally extremely scary for not only the victim but for any bystanders. If someone in your home gets shocked by an electrical cord or appliance, there are several things you need to know about handling the situation effectively. First, you should not touch the affected individual directly; you too are likely to get electrocuted if power is still surging through the victim’s body. 

In the case of electrocution, the best course of action is for you to cut the power at the breaker box if possible. If you are unable to get to the box for any reason, attempt to cut the victim’s connection to the power source instead. This can be done by placing an insulated item, such as a piece of PVC piping, between the electrocuted person and the current. Remember, though, the most crucial thing is to get your local emergency responders to the site of the electrical shock as quickly as possible. They will be able to help the victim. 

Dealing with downed power lines:

On occasion, storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes cause power lines to fall while they are still live. Coming into contact with one of these lines can be extremely dangerous. If you notice downed power lines on your property, the first thing you should do is contact the authorities in your city or town. They will be able to notify the proper municipal department to remove the lines. It is also wise to keep you and your family members at least 40 feet away from the fallen lines at all times, even if you don’t think they are still live. 

Depending upon the type of electrical emergency you find yourself experiencing, you may want to contact an emergency electrician instead of, or even in addition to, traditional first responders. Our professionals at Brunelli offer 24/7 services and are available to assist clients like you whenever you happen to have an urgent electrical problem that requires immediate attention.

If you’re a homeowner, there are certain issues you expect to face from time to time. For instance, plumbing problems, roofing issues, and electrical repairs are to be anticipated. It can, however, be difficult to know how to deal with residential repairs, particularly if you don’t have any prior experience with homeownership. In this guide, Massachusetts homeowners will discover some of the most common electrical problems they are likely to face and how to handle them. 

Regular electrical surges 

Occasional power surges are normal and are often caused by lightning strikes and other natural occurrences. If, however, you and your family frequently experience power surges in your home, you should definitely have a professional check out the issue. Because many Massachusetts houses are historic, old, faulty wiring is a common cause of electrical surges. You could also have a problematic appliance connected to your home’s grid. 

Faulty light switches 

If you have light switches that aren’t working correctly in your house, there are a couple of probable causes. If your home was recently built, the issue may simply be a product of poor construction and low-end materials; a reputable electrician should be able to easily perform the necessary upgrades. If, on the other hand, your house is older and certain switches have never worked properly, they likely went with fixtures that were removed before you moved in. 

Costly electrical bills

If you’ve noticed that your family’s monthly electric bill has been higher than usual recently, you should take some time to consider why this is. Power surges are one cause of overly costly electrical bills; as stated previously, this issue should be dealt with by a professional. Furthermore, evaluate whether or not the members of your household are unplugging appliances when not in use and, if you have an electric furnace, consider the temperature you are keeping it at during cold Massachusetts winters. 

Recessed lights flicker frequently 

Recessed lighting has become extremely common in today’s houses. If your recessed lights often flicker, you should have a professional electrician assess the situation. In all likelihood, the light fixtures are equipped with a safety mechanism that causes them to shut off when they overheat. You probably need to use lower wattage bulbs or have the insulation in your ceiling moved away from the lights. 

Remember, it is important for all homeowners to have periodic residential electrical inspections. Many experts recommend having an electrician check your home for any electrical issues on an annual basis. If an emergency arises, contact Philip M Brunelli Jr. Electrician and his team!