What to do right now

Short, safe steps written by electricians for the moments when something has gone wrong. If there are flames or smoke, get out and call 999. For anything else you are unsure about, call 07703 295654.

Burning smell or sparksMain switch off at the fuse board. Do not touch the socket. Then call. Water near lights or socketsStay clear. Mains off only if you can reach the board with dry hands. Everything has gone offNeighbours dark too? Call 105. Just you? Check the fuse board. Flames or smokeGet everyone out, close the doors and call 999 first.

Urgent: act now

Burning smell or sparks from a socket: what to do right now

Switch off at the main switch on your fuse board and do not touch the socket or pull the plug. Never use water on an electrical fault.

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Power cut: is it your fuse board or the grid?

If the whole street is dark, it is a network fault: call 105, the free national power cut line. If only your home is off, check your fuse board for a tripped switch and reset it once.

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RCD or trip switch keeps tripping: how to find the faulty circuit

An RCD that keeps tripping is detecting a real leak of current, usually from one faulty circuit or appliance. Switch every breaker off, reset the RCD, then turn breakers back on one at a time.

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No hot water or heating after an electrical fault

When hot water or heating stops after an electrical fault, the usual cause is a tripped circuit feeding the immersion heater or boiler. Check the fuse board and the switched spur near the appliance, reset once, and if it trips again call an electrician on 07703 295654..

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Water leaking through a light fitting or into a socket

Do not touch the fitting, the switch or anything wet. If you can reach the fuse board without standing in water and with dry hands, turn off the main switch.

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Is it an electrical emergency, or can it wait until morning?

Call an emergency electrician now for a burning smell, sparks, scorch marks, water near electrics, a shock from a switch or appliance, a board that buzzes or feels hot, or a total loss of power you cannot reset. A single dead socket, one blown bulb or a light that flickers occasionally can usually wait for a daytime visit..

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