Properly maintaining all of your household systems is important. However, maintaining your home's electrical system holds special importance because a malfunctioning electrical system can easily result in someone getting hurt or incurring serious property damage. Thankfully, there are emergency electricians who are able to respond to your electrical needs 24/7 in the event of a true electrical emergency. 

Not quite sure what qualifies as an electrical emergency and what electrical repairs can safely wait for a scheduled appointment? Don't worry, you are not alone. Many homeowners have a difficult time making this distinction. Taking the time to review the electrical emergencies outlined below can help you to have a better idea of when it is time to drop what you are doing and pick up the phone to call an emergency electrician.

You See Sparks Or Smell Smoke Coming From An Outlet

If your outlet sparks or smells like smoke, this could be a sign of exposed or damaged wires within the walls. This particular electrical issue can put your home at a much greater risk of an electrical fire. In this situation, it is best to turn off the main electrical breaker in the home in order to prevent any additional damage and ensure the safety of everyone inside the home. Once the electrical supply to your home has been safely turned off, you will want to call an emergency electrician to come and inspect your electrical system, determine the underlying problem, and make any necessary repairs. 

You Hear A Humming Noise Coming From Your Outlets

Electricity can produce a humming or a buzzing noise when a circuit is damaged or not working properly. These rather annoying sounds will typically be heard coming from your outlets, your light fixtures, or your light switches. The most common causes for these electrical issues are poorly grounded wires and loose connections. While correcting these issues is usually rather quick and easy, failure to address the issue quickly can result in a very real safety hazard. That is why it is always best to call an emergency electrician to address this problem right away if you hear any of these noises coming from your electrical system.

Your Home Experiences Flooding Or Other Storm Damage

Bad weather can damage your home in many different ways, which could impact the safety of your home's electrical system. For example, if your home experiences flooding as the result of a serious storm, you could find yourself facing a very dangerous electrical emergency since water and electricity simply do not mix. In this situation, you will need to call on an emergency electrician to safely disconnect the power to your home and inspect your electrical system to ensure there is no damage before the power can be restored. Bad weather can also damage outdoor power lines or result in power surges that have the potential to damage your electrical system. That is why placing a call to an emergency electrician is always a good idea if your home has suffered any type of serious storm-related damage.

For more information, contact a local electrician to fix your home right away.