Learn when to call 911, when to call an electrician immediately, and when you can safely schedule repairs. Clear safety guidance for Wisconsin homeowners.
Call 911 and an emergency electrician immediately if you experience: burning smell (fishy or plastic), visible sparks or smoke, circuit breaker that trips 3+ times in a short period, electrical shocks from outlets or appliances, or exposed wires. These are life-safety emergencies that can cause fires or electrocution within minutes. One tripped breaker that stays reset is usually safe. Flickering lights alone without other symptoms can be scheduled for same-day service, not emergency.
Early stage: Fishy or ozone-like smell indicates wiring insulation is melting but not yet burning. Advanced stage: Acrid burning plastic or rubber smell means insulation is actively burning.
Action: Immediately shut off power at breaker. If smell is strong or you see smoke, evacuate and call 911. Otherwise, call emergency electrician immediately.
Small sparks when plugging something in can be normal. Large sparks, repeated sparking, or sparks when nothing is being plugged in indicate loose connections, damaged wiring, or electrical arcing—all fire hazards.
Action: If you see smoke or flames, evacuate and call 911. For sparks without smoke, shut off power to that circuit and call emergency electrician immediately.
One tripped breaker is usually safe—reset it once. If it trips again immediately, or trips 3+ times in a short period, do NOT keep resetting it. This indicates an overloaded circuit, short circuit, or wiring fault.
Action: Leave breaker OFF. Call emergency electrician immediately. Repeated trips are a fire risk—the breaker is preventing your wires from overheating.
Even mild tingling or small shocks indicate faulty wiring, damaged insulation, or grounding problems. Any electrical shock is a serious safety hazard that can escalate to life-threatening levels.
Action: Stop using that outlet or appliance immediately. Shut off power to that circuit at breaker. Call emergency electrician—do not wait until business hours.
Visible bare wires, open junction boxes, or damaged electrical panels pose immediate electrocution and fire risks. Never touch exposed wiring. Damaged panels may fail to trip breakers when needed.
Action: Keep everyone away from exposed wires. Do not touch the panel if damaged. Call emergency electrician immediately—this is a critical safety hazard.
| Symptom | Response Level | When to Call | First Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flames, heavy smoke, strong burning smell | EMERGENCY 911 | Immediately | Evacuate, call 911 from outside |
| Burning smell (no smoke), sparks, shocks | EMERGENCY | Immediately | Shut off power, call emergency electrician |
| Breaker trips 3+ times, exposed wires | EMERGENCY | Immediately | Leave breaker OFF, call electrician now |
| Hot outlets, buzzing panel, scorch marks | URGENT | Same day | Stop using outlet, schedule same-day service |
| Multiple flickering lights, warm switches | URGENT | Same day | Document issue, call for same-day appointment |
| One tripped breaker (stays reset) | NON-URGENT | This week | Unplug devices, reset breaker, monitor |
| Single dead outlet, planned upgrades | ROUTINE | This week | Schedule service during business hours |
| Flickering single bulb, GFI reset once | FALSE ALARM | No call needed | Replace bulb or reset GFI, monitor |
❌ Use water on electrical fires
Water conducts electricity. Use Class C fire extinguisher or baking soda for small fires.
❌ Touch someone being electrocuted
Shut off power source first, then call 911. Touching them will electrocute you too.
❌ Repeatedly reset a tripping breaker
This forces power through a fault, creating fire risk. Leave it OFF after 2nd trip.
❌ Touch exposed wires
Even "dead" wires can be live due to backfeed or cross-connections. Never touch.
❌ Attempt DIY repairs on urgent issues
Emergency electrical work requires licensing and safety equipment. DIY voids insurance.
❌ Ignore burning smells or sparks
These indicate active fire risk. "Waiting to see" can result in house fires.
Call 911 and an emergency electrician immediately if you experience: burning smell (fishy or plastic), visible sparks or smoke, frequent circuit breaker trips (3+ times in short period), electrical shocks from outlets or appliances, or exposed wires. These are life-safety emergencies that can cause fires or electrocution within minutes.
Electrical fires produce two distinct smells: a fishy or ozone-like odor in early stages (when wiring insulation is melting but not burning), and an acrid burning plastic or rubber smell in advanced stages (when insulation is actively burning). If you smell either, immediately shut off power at the breaker and call an electrician. A strong burning plastic smell requires calling 911.
One tripped breaker is usually not an emergency—it's the breaker doing its job. Reset it once. If it trips again immediately or trips 3+ times in a short period, do NOT keep resetting it. This indicates an overloaded circuit, short circuit, or wiring fault that requires professional diagnosis. Repeated trips are a fire risk.
Call 911 immediately if you see: visible flames or smoke from electrical components, strong burning plastic smell with visible smoke, someone being electrocuted, or downed power lines. For other electrical emergencies like burning smells without smoke, sparks, or frequent breaker trips, shut off power at the breaker and call an emergency electrician immediately.
Yes, you can safely reset a tripped breaker once. First, unplug devices on that circuit. Turn the breaker fully OFF, then back to ON. If it trips again immediately, do not reset it—this indicates a serious fault. If it stays on but trips again within hours or days, schedule an electrician to diagnose the overload or wiring issue.
Immediately turn off power to that outlet at the circuit breaker. Do not touch the outlet or plug anything into it. If the smell is strong or you see smoke, evacuate and call 911. If the smell is mild and dissipates after shutting off power, call an emergency electrician immediately—do not use that outlet until inspected.
Small, brief sparks when plugging something in can be normal (static discharge). Large sparks, repeated sparking, sparks accompanied by burning smell or sound, or sparks when nothing is being plugged in are NOT normal. These indicate loose connections, damaged wiring, or electrical arcing—all fire hazards requiring immediate electrician attention.
Call an emergency electrician immediately if your panel: feels warm or hot to touch, makes buzzing or crackling sounds, shows scorch marks or discoloration, has a burning smell, or has multiple breakers tripping frequently. Older panels (Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Pushmatic) with any of these signs pose extreme fire risks and require urgent replacement.
Flickering lights alone are rarely an emergency. If ONE light flickers, it's likely a bad bulb or loose fixture. If MULTIPLE lights flicker, especially with burning smell, buzzing sounds, or hot outlets, this indicates a wiring fault or overloaded circuit that requires same-day electrician attention. If accompanied by smoke or sparks, it's an emergency.
Emergency (call now): fire/shock risk—burning smell, sparks, frequent breaker trips, exposed wires, electrical shocks. Urgent (schedule today): hot outlets, buzzing panel, scorch marks, outlets not working in multiple rooms. Non-urgent (schedule this week): single dead outlet, adding new circuits, upgrading old but functional panel, routine maintenance.
Yes, call immediately (day or night) if you experience: burning smell, sparks, smoke, electrical shocks, exposed wires, or frequent breaker trips. These are life-safety emergencies. For non-urgent issues like a single dead outlet or planned upgrades, you can wait until business hours to schedule service.
Never use water on electrical fires (use Class C extinguisher or baking soda). Never touch someone being electrocuted (shut off power first). Never repeatedly reset a tripping breaker. Never touch exposed wires. Never attempt DIY repairs on urgent electrical issues. Never ignore burning smells or sparks. These actions can cause electrocution, worsen fires, or invalidate insurance claims.