Your home should be a place of comfort and safety. Yet a worrying amount of accidents take place in our homes, many of which are preventable.
An obvious source of potential danger is our home’s electrical system. While some electrical problems can wait a few days, others are serious enough to warrant the immediate attention of an electrician. Especially when you consider that electrical faults are the second leading cause of US home fires.
But what should you look out for? Here are seven signs that you need to call an electrician right away.
1. Hot Power Outlets
If you notice that your power outlets are hot to the touch, you’ll need to find a good electrician straight away to resolve the issue. While it’s easy not to notice this unless you’re checking for it, hot power outlets are a major precursor to a potential fire, meaning that they’re a huge warning sign that you need an emergency electrician.
2. Smoke and Burning Smells
If you notice smoke or burning smells in your home, you’ll need to switch off the mains and call the emergency services. Then, once the fire department has ruled out any chance of imminent danger, an electrician will be able to check for any underlying issues.
3. Sparking Sockets
Sparks flying from your sockets when plugging in appliances are often a sign of arcing, a harmless electrical phenomenon. That said, if these sparks last longer than a split second and are yellow or white, energy overloads or improper wiring could be to blame. Avoid these sparks turning into a fire by hiring an electrician right away.
4. Tripping Circuit Breakers
As any residential electrician will tell you, occasional trips in your circuit breakers are quite normal. But if your electricity keeps turning itself off, this isn’t something you should ignore. Especially since circuit breakers are your home’s first line of defense against electrical problems.
5. Flickering Lights
Lights that flicker often or when you plug in a certain appliance are a definite cause for concern. The underlying reason might be a circuit overload, faulty wiring, or something else. Regardless, flickering lights are a surefire sign that you need the help of a professional electrician.
6. Electric Shocks
Experiencing a simple static electricity shock when you touch a plug shouldn’t be anything to worry about. But if it’s happening every time you use the outlet or the appliance in question, it’s time to call an electrician. As well as finding the source of the problem, only a professional will protect you from being seriously electrocuted or from your house being damaged in an electrical fire.
7. Buzzing Sounds
Buzzing sounds coming from sockets or appliances are never normal. While anything from faulty wiring to a loose screw at a termination point could be to blame, hiring an emergency electrician is the only safe way to find the source and stop the buzzing.
Signs That You Need an Electrician
When things are running smoothly in your home, the electricity powering everything should be completely unnoticeable.
That’s why anytime we do notice it is a cause for concern – and a good reason to call an emergency electrician right away.
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Danny White is a freelance writer who offers to ghostwrite, copywriting, and blogging services. He works closely with B2C and B2B businesses providing digital marketing content that gains social media attention and increases their search engine visibility.
