A house fire starts every 85 seconds in the United States, the majority of which are caused by malfunctioning electrical systems. Just the thought of a fire starting behind your walls while you sleep is terrifying. Fortunately, most electrical emergencies manifest themselves in more subtle ways before they end up causing a catastrophe. The secret is to be able to recognize the signs of a burgeoning electrical emergency and know the proper steps to contain the problem until your local electrical contractor can get out to your home to repair it.
If it’s already obvious you have an electrical emergency and you need help now, call Kolb Electric at 877-287-1179 for fast, effective 24-hour service.
Common Electrical Emergencies
- Overloaded circuits. Using extension cords and/or plugging too many appliances and electronics into one circuit can overload the circuit and cause the wires and receptacles to overheat. Signs of an overloaded circuit include discoloration around the plugs, frequent tripped circuit breakers, and even smoke coming from the outlet. If you see any of these signs, turn off the power to that circuit at the main electrical box and call your electrician to evaluate the problem.
- Arcing electricity. Frayed, old, or otherwise damaged electrical cords can cause an electrical circuit to bypass the cord and arc. This is an extremely dangerous situation and can easily lead to house fires. Don’t try to unplug the cord if you see arcing. Instead, turn off the electricity to the room at the main circuit box.
- Power surges. Power surges, which occur when there is an unusually-high amount of electricity in the circuit, are often the result of power coming back on suddenly after an outage. These bursts of electricity can damage your appliances and electronics and even contribute to an electrical fire. Avoid these surges by unplugging your appliances, electronics, and lamps when the power goes out and then gradually re-plugging them once the electrical service has been restored. Kolb Electric also installs surge protectors to help prevent this problem.
Have an Electrical Emergency in MD, VA or DC? Call Kolb Electric!
Electrical emergencies are nothing to be cavalier about. If you have encountered one of the above problems or have another electrical emergency on your hands, it’s time to call in a licensed electrician.
Kolb Electric has been helping Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC home and building owners with all their electrical needs for over 90 years. We have a full staff of fully trained and experienced electricians and offer 24-hour emergency service. We understand that some electrical problems just can’t wait for bankers’ hours.
Call us at 877 287-1179 for help with any electrical emergency.
