What to Do in an Electrical Emergency
For sparks, smoke, a burning smell, a downed line or a house that has lost power: act safely first, then call the right people.
Fire, Smoke or a Downed Line: Call 911
Get everyone out and call 911 from outside. Do not go back in to find the panel. For a downed line, stay well away and call 911 and your electric utility.
Situation by Situation
Swipe left to see the rest of the table.
| Situation | Do right now | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Sparks or fire | Get out. Never use water on an electrical fire; use a Class C extinguisher only if it is small and you have a clear way out | 911 |
| Burning smell | Turn off the circuit or the main if it is dry and safe; unplug the source if you can see it | 911 if there is smoke or heat in a wall; otherwise an electrician |
| Downed line | Stay at least 35 feet away and keep others back; never touch a fence or a car the line is touching | 911 and your electric utility |
| Water near electrical equipment | Stay out of standing water; shut off the main only if you can reach it from a dry spot | Your utility to cut power if needed, then an electrician |
| Tripped main breaker | Switch large appliances off, then reset the main once | An electrician if it trips again or will not reset |
| Whole-house power loss | Check whether the neighbors have power; check the main | Your utility for an outage; an electrician if only your house is out |
Staying Safe
- Shut off the main breaker only if you are standing somewhere dry and the panel is not hot, wet or smoking.
- Stay clear of downed lines, and of anything they touch: fences, puddles, cars.
- Unplug computers, TVs and other sensitive devices if the power is flickering or about to come back.
- Never use water on an electrical fire.
Storm Damage to Masts, Meters and Outdoor Equipment
Central Texas thunderstorms bring high wind, hail and falling limbs. A branch on the service drop can pull the mast away from the wall or bend the weatherhead; a lightning strike nearby can damage the meter base, the panel and anything plugged in. If the mast is leaning, wires are hanging low or the meter is damaged, keep away and call the utility: the line to the house is theirs. Once the utility has made it safe, the mast, the meter base and the panel on the house side are an electrician’s repair, and the utility usually wants that repair done before it reconnects.
Hard freezes are the other emergency season. Outages that run for days strain everything that comes back on at once, and space heaters and extension cords used during an outage are a common cause of overheated outlets. Surge protection and a proper generator hookup, covered on the Surge & Backup page, are the preparation.
After the Power Comes Back
- Check appliances, chargers and electronics for surge damage before relying on them
- Look for breakers that tripped when the power returned, and reset them once
- Reset GFCI outlets in the kitchen, the bathrooms, the garage and outdoors
- Note anything that smells hot, flickers or no longer works, and report it
Questions About Power Loss
How do I tell a tripped main breaker from a utility outage?
Look at the neighbors first: dark houses and streetlights up and down the street mean a utility outage, and the utility’s outage line or map will usually confirm it. If the neighbors have power and you do not, look at the main breaker at the top of the panel. If it has tripped, push it fully off and then on, once, with large appliances switched off. If it trips again, or will not reset, leave it off and call. If half the house works and half does not while the neighbors are fine, that often points to the service, which needs the utility or an electrician.
Should I call 911 or the utility for a downed line?
Both, in that order if anyone is in danger. Treat every downed line as live, keep at least 35 feet away, and keep others and pets back. The utility owns the line and is the one that makes it safe.
Reaching Freeflow Services
For damage that needs an electrician once everyone is safe, call (737) 348-0227, or send a request with what happened, what still works and what does not. Photos of a damaged mast, meter or panel can follow by email.