Every house has several electrical appliances which make human life easier. It is impossible to think about starting a day without electricity. In the modern age, people depend on electricity and electrical appliances so much that they are an integral part of their lives. But it should not be neglected that with it comes risks and hazards. Electrical emergencies will probably occur in houses and commercial spaces. There is no need to panic in that situation, but it needs a timely intervention. One should depend on licensed electricians to solve the issue quickly and effectively. The article discusses a few things one should keep in mind while dealing with an electrical emergency.
What all can cause an electrical emergency?
Anything from an overloaded circuit to the wear and tear of the cord can cause a spark or a short, eventually leading to electrical emergencies.
How to avoid the chances of an electrical emergency?
Maintaining the electrical appliances and electrical systems properly can help evade the possibility of electrical emergencies occurring, but one cannot evade the possibility of potential hazards.
How to face an electrical emergency?
It is important to know how to respond when an emergency occurs. One can create a response plan to face the situation by understanding the basic electrical emergency procedures. Whether electric fire, short circuit or electric shock, it has to be solved quickly to ensure safety. Electrical emergencies of higher magnitude can be handled by an experienced and licensed electrician. So, one can call a local electrician too. Some of the emergency procedures one should follow for a typical electrical emergency, an electrical fire is given below as an example:
- Disconnect Power: The first thing to do in an electrical emergency is to stop supplying power to the electric system. Even if the appliances are unplugged and the switches are off, chances of risk are still there, especially if the emergency is caused by overheated electrical appliances or a frayed wire.
- Use a Fire Extinguisher: If there is a fire extinguisher in the house, use it. If you are unable to cut the power to the source of fire, it will be better to use a Class C extinguisher as they use CO2 and using a water-based Class A extinguisher will be unsafe. Use the latter only if the power is cut off.
- Smother the Fire: As it is not possible to have a fire extinguisher always on hand, one should also know how to put out the fire without it. If the power is off, one can use water or a fire blanket to extinguish it. However, if it is not possible to turn off the power, using water will be dangerous. Also, don’t approach the fire as there is a high chance of getting an electric shock.
- Practice Fire Safety: If controlling the fire seems impossible, get out of the building as quickly as possible. No need to panic. Call the authorities after exiting the building. Avoid inhaling the smoke by keeping oneself close to the ground.
- Call 911: Always call 911 whenever there is a fire emergency. Even if the fire is put out, there are still chances for some objects to reignite. So, better avoid further danger; it is always better to call 911.
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