Electrical emergencies may leave you sitting in the dark, and they can be extremely dangerous, sparking devastating fires or causing electrocution. While some minor issues can wait, others should be looked at by an electrician at the first sign of trouble. Here are a few common signs of the most serious electrical emergencies.

4 Signs You Should Call an Electrician

1. A Buzzing Breaker Box

Buzzing or humming sounds coming from your breaker box usually means a wire is failing to trip, allowing a circuit to overheat. When they’re working properly, circuit breakers automatically sense when something is wrong. If they malfunction, your system can be flooded with excess power, potentially putting your entire home at risk.

2. Scorched Outlets

Even if the circuit breakers are working perfectly, individual outlets can overload or short out. If you notice scorch marks or brown stains around a power outlet, turn off the circuit and call an electrician immediately.

3. Power Outage

Some electrical problems can put your entire system offline, creating conditions that could shock you while you try to turn it back on. When the lights go out, call the power company or check with neighbors to see if the problem is isolated to your house. If none of the breakers in the box have tripped, let an electrician identify the problem.

4. Burnt Plastic

Misplaced nails, rodent activity, or improper installation can damage wires inside your walls, presenting a dangerous fire hazard. An odor, like burning plastic, often means overheating electrical fires, so try to turn off the power and call an emergency electrician.

No matter what type of electrical problem you’re experiencing, you can rely on 'Oihana Electrical Services in Makawao, HI, to restore your power quickly and safely. These skilled electricians provide homeowners throughout Maui with a broad range of quality services, including emergency repairs, new system installations, panel changes, and energy-saving solutions. Call (808) 212-9991 to schedule a service or request a free consultation.