What To Do in an Electrical Emergency (Before We Arrive)

An electrical emergency can go from stressful to dangerous very quickly. Lights are flickering, you smell something burning, or a breaker keeps tripping and you are not sure what to do next. In those moments, the most important thing is your safety, not getting the power back on as fast as possible.

This guide walks you through safe first steps during a power outage, electrical fire, shock, or downed power line. We wrote this as a public safety resource for Calgary homeowners and families. Keep in mind that no article replaces emergency responders or a licensed electrician on site. It simply helps you stay calm and make good decisions before we get there.

Crew Electrical Services provides troubleshooting and repair for electrical emergencies. Our goal is to keep your home safe, protect your family, and be the first call you think of when something feels wrong.

First Rule In Any Electrical Emergency

If you feel unsafe, trust that feeling. Step away from the problem, keep people and pets back, and call for help. Power can be restored and equipment can be replaced. People cannot.

There are three basic safety priorities that apply to almost every situation:

1. Protect people first.

2. Stay clear of live electricity and water.

3. Do not touch wiring or equipment you are not qualified to handle.

If fire, smoke, or a serious shock is involved, call 911 first, then call an electrician once everyone is safe.

Power Outage: What You Can Safely Check

A power outage is one of the most common electrical issues. Some are minor and confined to your home. Others are caused by the utility and affect the whole street.

If the lights go out, look outside to see if your neighbours are also dark. Check whether some circuits still work or if everything is out. Take a quick look at your main electrical panel for tripped breakers or a tripped main.

You can try resetting a clearly tripped breaker once. Turn it fully off, then back on. If it trips again right away, stop and leave it off. Repeatedly forcing a breaker to reset is not safe and can make the problem worse.

If the whole area is out, the issue is usually with the power company. If the outage seems to be only in your home and you cannot identify a simple cause, it is time to call for professional troubleshooting and repair. Crew Electrical Services can help determine whether you have a failing breaker, a loose connection, or a more serious issue that needs attention.

Electrical Fire: What To Do Immediately

Electrical fires are serious and fast moving. If you see flames, smell burning plastic, or see smoke coming from an outlet, breaker panel, or appliance, do not ignore it and hope it stops.

Take these steps:

• Call 911 right away. Fire and smoke spread quickly in walls and ceilings.

• If you can reach it safely, turn off the main breaker to cut power to the home.

• Do not throw water on an electrical fire.

• Use a fire extinguisher that is rated for electrical fires only if you can do so without putting yourself in danger.

Once emergency responders say it is safe to return, that is the time to call an electrician. Crew Electrical Services can assess the damage, locate the source, and repair wiring or equipment so the same issue does not happen again.

Shocks, Tingling, and “Zaps”

If anyone receives a shock, tingling, or feels a “zap” from a fixture, appliance, or metal surface, treat it seriously even if it seems minor.

First, make sure the person is clear of the source. If they are still in contact with live electricity, do not touch them directly. Call 911, turn off the main power if you can do it safely, and wait for emergency responders.

If the shock was brief and the person is stable, turn off and unplug the device involved and avoid using that outlet, switch, or fixture again until it has been inspected.

Shocks can be a sign of grounding problems, damaged cords, or faulty equipment. Crew Electrical Services can test outlets, circuits, and bonding to find the cause and prevent a more serious event later.

Burning Smell, Heat, or Buzzing

Sometimes the warning signs appear before anything dramatic happens. A breaker panel that feels hot, outlets that buzz, or a strong smell of burning plastic or insulation are all reasons to act.

If you notice these signs, turn off power to the affected circuit at the panel. If you cannot tell which circuit is involved, you can turn off the main breaker as a precaution. Do not continue to use the device, outlet, or fixture that seems related.

At this point, the safest next step is a professional inspection. Crew Electrical Services can open devices and boxes safely, check for loose or overheating connections, and repair or replace any damaged components before they escalate into a fire or complete failure.

Downed Power Lines: Stay Far Away

Downed power lines are extremely dangerous. They can energize the ground, fences, vehicles, and anything they touch. In this situation, utility crews and emergency services must be involved.

If you see a downed line, stay far back and keep others away. Do not attempt to move the line. Call 911 or your local utility emergency number immediately.

If a line falls on a vehicle with someone inside, tell them to stay where they are until emergency crews arrive. If they must exit due to fire, they should jump clear with both feet together and shuffle away. That advice belongs in an emergency call, which is why contacting 911 quickly is so important.

Electricians do not repair utility lines, but we often help with damage on the homeowner’s side once the utility has made the area safe. Crew Electrical Services can replace mast heads, meter bases, or service equipment that has been damaged when conditions allow.

Flooded Basements and Standing Water

Water changes everything. If an electrical panel, outlets, or cords are in contact with water, treat the entire area as live until proven otherwise.

If you have flooding, do not step into standing water if electrical equipment is nearby. Do not touch the panel while standing on a wet floor. If you can reach the main breaker from a dry, safe position, you may turn it off. If not, wait for help.

After water recedes, the electrical system still needs a careful review. Corrosion and damage may not be obvious at first glance. Crew Electrical Services can inspect affected equipment and recommend repairs or replacements to keep the home safe going forward.

What Not To Do In An Electrical Emergency

It is often easier to remember what to avoid.

Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips repeatedly. Do not cover up burn marks or melted plastic and hope it is fine. Do not use extension cords as a permanent fix. Do not work inside breaker panels or splice wiring if you are not trained and licensed.

All of these shortcuts hide problems instead of solving them. In an electrical emergency, a calm call to a professional is the quickest path to a real solution.

How Crew Electrical Services Handles Electrical Emergencies

When something goes wrong, you want an electrician who treats the situation with the urgency and care it deserves. Homeowners in Calgary choose Crew Electrical Services for electrical emergency troubleshooting and repair because we combine safety, clear communication, and practical problem solving.

Here is what you can expect when you call:

• We listen first so we understand what you saw, heard, or smelled.

• Our electricians walk you through immediate safety steps while you wait, tailored to your situation.

• Once on site, we prioritize making the area safe, then track down the real cause rather than just resetting breakers.

• We explain any work we recommend in plain language so you know why it matters and what it will change.

Our team is used to handling everything from small but worrying issues to larger failures that need a careful, staged repair. The goal is always the same: protect your family, protect your home, and leave you with a system that works reliably once the emergency is over.