Written by H. Irwin Electrical | Published on June 2025
In an electrical emergency at home, the very first thing you should do is switch off the power at the main switchboard and call 000 if anyone is injured or if there is fire. Knowing what to do in those first few minutes can prevent serious injury or worse.
This guide covers the most common electrical emergencies, how to respond safely, and when to call a licensed electrician. Whether you are in Glenelg, Plympton, Unley, or anywhere across Adelaide, these steps apply to you.
Recognise the Signs of an Electrical Emergency
Not every electrical problem is an emergency, but some situations demand immediate action. Knowing the difference helps you respond quickly and avoid making things worse.
The following are situations that should be treated as emergencies:
- Sparks or arcing from an outlet, appliance, or switchboard
- Burning smell coming from walls, outlets, or the meter box
- Visible smoke from an electrical fitting or appliance
- A person receiving an electric shock
- Flickering lights combined with a burning odour
- Water contact with electrical wiring or outlets
- A circuit breaker that trips repeatedly and will not reset
If you notice any of these signs, do not wait to see if they go away. Act immediately using the steps in the next section.
Follow These Steps During an Electrical Emergency
When an electrical emergency happens, a calm and correct response protects you and your household. Follow these steps in order.
- Do not touch: Never touch a person in contact with live electricity using your bare hands. You will become part of the circuit.
- Cut the power: Go to your main switchboard and turn off the main switch. If you cannot reach it safely, call 000.
- Call 000: If there is injury, fire, or you cannot isolate the power, call emergency services immediately.
- Evacuate if needed: If there is smoke or fire, get everyone out of the house. Do not re-enter until emergency services clear it.
- Do not use water on electrical fires: Use a dry powder or CO2 fire extinguisher only. Water conducts electricity.
- Call a licensed electrician: Once the immediate danger is controlled, call a licensed electrician before restoring power.
H. Irwin Electrical responds to urgent electrical situations across Adelaide, including Glenelg, Somerton Park, Marion, and surrounding suburbs. Call 0432 270 757 if you need help fast.
Understand What Each Type of Emergency Requires
Different electrical emergencies need different responses. The table below breaks down the most common scenarios and what your immediate action should be.
| Emergency Type | Immediate Action | Call 000? | Call Electrician? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shock to a person | Do not touch. Cut power. Call 000. | Yes | Yes, after 000 |
| Sparks or arcing at outlet | Turn off circuit at switchboard | Only if fire starts | Yes, immediately |
| Burning smell from walls | Cut main power, evacuate if smoke appears | If smoke or fire | Yes, do not restore power |
| Electrical fire | Cut power, use CO2 extinguisher, evacuate | Yes | Yes, before re-entry |
| Water near electrical wiring | Cut power, do not touch wet surfaces | If injury occurs | Yes, before drying out |
| Repeated tripping breaker | Do not keep resetting it | No | Yes, same day |
Never restore power after an emergency without a licensed electrician inspecting the system first. This is both a safety requirement and a legal one under South Australian electrical regulations.
Know What NOT to Do in an Electrical Emergency
Some natural instincts can actually make an electrical emergency more dangerous. Here is what to avoid:
- Do not use water: Water is a conductor. Pouring water on an electrical fire or flooded outlet is extremely dangerous.
- Do not reset a tripping breaker repeatedly: A breaker that keeps tripping is telling you something is wrong. Forcing it on can cause a fire.
- Do not pull someone away from a live source with your hands: Use a non-conductive object like a dry wooden broom handle only if cutting power is not possible.
- Do not re-enter a home after a fire or major electrical event: Wait for emergency services to give the all-clear.
- Do not attempt DIY electrical repairs: In South Australia, unlicensed electrical work is illegal and dangerous. Always use a licensed electrician.
This point about DIY work is important. Even replacing a power outlet or rewiring a light switch requires a licensed electrician in SA. It is not just about safety, it is the law.
Compare Emergency Electrician Response Times and Costs in Adelaide
Understanding what to expect from an emergency electrician visit helps you make quick decisions. The table below gives a realistic overview for Adelaide homeowners.
| Service Type | Typical Response Time | Estimated Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| After-hours emergency call-out | 1 to 3 hours | $180 to $350 call-out fee | Plus labour and parts |
| Same-day urgent service | 2 to 6 hours | $120 to $220 call-out fee | Business hours rate |
| Switchboard fault repair | Same day or next day | $200 to $600 depending on fault | May need safety inspection |
| Electrical safety inspection post-emergency | Within 24 hours | $150 to $300 | Required before restoring power |
These are general market ranges for the Adelaide metro area. Actual pricing depends on the complexity of the fault, time of day, and materials required. H. Irwin Electrical provides upfront pricing so there are no surprises.
Take These Steps to Reduce Your Emergency Risk
Most electrical emergencies are preventable. Adelaide homes, particularly older properties in suburbs like Hyde Park, Kurralta Park, Glandore, and Prospect, often have ageing wiring that increases risk.
Here are practical steps you can take right now to lower your risk:
- Book an electrical safety inspection every 5 to 10 years, or when buying a home
- Install residual current devices (RCDs) on all circuits, especially wet areas
- Upgrade older switchboards that still use ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers
- Do not overload power boards or use damaged extension cords
- Replace outlets or switches that are discoloured, warm to touch, or sparking
- Have an electrician inspect your home after a flood, storm, or major renovation
Adelaide’s coastal suburbs, including Henley Beach, West Beach, and Glenelg, experience salt air corrosion that can degrade external wiring and meter boxes faster than inland areas. A periodic inspection makes sense if you live near the coast.
H. Irwin Electrical regularly services homes across Glenelg North, Fulham, Beverley, Richmond, and North Adelaide. If your home has not had an electrical inspection in years, it is worth booking one before a problem develops.
FAQs on Electrical Emergencies at Home
What is the first thing I should do in an electrical emergency at home?
The first thing to do is cut power at the main switchboard if it is safe to reach. If anyone is injured or there is fire, call 000 immediately. Do not attempt to touch anyone in contact with live electricity before the power is off.
Can I reset my circuit breaker after it trips during an emergency?
You should not reset a circuit breaker that has tripped during an emergency without a licensed electrician inspecting the cause first. Repeatedly resetting a tripping breaker can lead to overheating and fire. Call an electrician to diagnose the fault before restoring power.
What should I do if there is a burning smell from my walls?
A burning smell from your walls is a serious warning sign of potential wiring failure or an electrical fire inside the wall cavity. Turn off the main power immediately and call a licensed electrician. Do not ignore this or assume it will resolve on its own.
Is it safe to stay in my home after an electrical fire?
No. After an electrical fire, you should evacuate and wait for emergency services to clear the property. Even after a small fire is extinguished, there may be smouldering material inside walls or ceiling cavities. A licensed electrician must inspect the home before you restore power or return.
How do I know if my Adelaide home’s wiring is a fire risk?
Signs of risky wiring include flickering lights, warm outlets, a switchboard with ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers, or wiring that has not been updated since before the 1990s. An electrical safety inspection by a licensed electrician is the best way to know for certain.
Does H. Irwin Electrical handle emergency electrical jobs in Adelaide?
Yes. H. Irwin Electrical handles urgent and emergency electrical jobs across Adelaide, including Glenelg, Somerton Park, Plympton, Marion, Unley, and surrounding suburbs. Call 0432 270 757 to speak directly with the team about your situation.
Wrap Up and Next Steps
Knowing what to do in an electrical emergency at home is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family and your property. Cut the power, call 000 if there is injury or fire, and never restore power without a licensed electrician inspecting the system first.
Prevention is equally important. Regular inspections, updated switchboards, and properly installed RCDs significantly reduce the risk of an emergency occurring in the first place.
If you are dealing with an electrical emergency right now or want to book a safety inspection for your Adelaide home, call H. Irwin Electrical on 0432 270 757. The team services Glenelg, Glenelg North, Somerton Park, Marion, Plympton, Unley, Hyde Park, North Adelaide, Henley Beach, West Beach, and all surrounding suburbs.
