The lights go out during dinner. The fridge clicks off, and the kids ask what happened. You smell something hot near the switchboard and hear a sharp buzzing.
In moments like this, you want a simple plan that keeps your family safe. If you are in the Eastern Suburbs and need urgent help, T42 Electrical can send a licensed electrician to handle outages, burnt smells, or a noisy breaker box.
Below is a clear guide to what you can do first, when to call 000, and how to prepare for the electrician.
Start With Safety
Move people away from the hazard. If you see smoke from a power point, a blackened light fitting, or a sparking appliance, keep children and pets out of the room. Do not touch a hot switch or a live cable. If water is near power, step back and keep the area dry.
If you can reach the main switchboard safely, switch off the circuit that seems to be the problem. Many Sydney homes have a safety switch that trips when it senses a fault. This is normal and it helps prevent shocks.
If the safety switch will not reset, leave it off until a licensed electrician checks it. An electrician can test the circuit, the power point, and the appliances on that circuit.
If you feel a tingling shock from a tap or an appliance, stop using it and keep others away. Do not try to test it again. Shock risk is a medical risk, not a DIY task.
What You Can Turn Off
You can turn off the main switch if the hazard is unclear, or if you smell burning at the board. This cuts power to the whole house. It protects you while you wait for help and keeps faults from spreading to other circuits.
You can safely unplug appliances that are not hot, smoking, or wet. Check the plug top for brown marks or melting. If anything looks burnt, leave it in place and tell the electrician. Photos on your phone help, but only take them if the area is safe and dry.
You can turn off water to a leaking area if a pipe burst is near a power point or light fitting. Use the stop tap outside or under the sink. Water and electricity do not mix. If the ceiling is wet and a light is below, do not touch the light or the switch.
When To Call 000
Call 000 right away if a fire has started, if there is heavy smoke, or if someone has received an electric shock. Stay outside and wait for Fire and Rescue or Ambulance. Do not re-enter until they say it is safe.
Call 000 if a cable has fallen in your yard after a storm. Keep everyone well back. Do not try to move the wire. Emergency crews will secure the area before anyone else works on it.
Even when you call an emergency electrician, some events need both responders. A small switchboard fire that is out, but still warm, may still need fire crews to confirm there are no hidden embers in wall cavities.
When To Call An Electrician
If the risk is contained and there is no fire, call an emergency electrician. Common reasons include a noisy breaker box, repeated tripping when you reset a circuit, burnt smells from a power point, flickering lights in several rooms, or a shock from a tap after heavy rain.
These problems need proper testing, not guesswork.
In older terraces and apartments around Bondi, Coogee, and Randwick, wiring can be decades old. Salt air, moisture, and past DIY fixes can create weak joints and overheated fittings. A licensed electrician can test each circuit, load, and fitting with the right tools.
They will either make the area safe on the spot or plan a repair that meets current standards.
If the issue is limited to a single appliance, such as a toaster that trips the safety switch, unplug it and try the safety switch again. If power returns and stays on, the appliance is likely faulty. An electrician can confirm this if you are unsure.
Prepare For The Visit
- Have a short list ready. Note what you saw, heard, and smelled. Write when it started, which rooms were affected, and what you switched off. If rain or a water leak was involved, say where the water went.
- Clear the space for safe access. Move furniture away from the switchboard and the problem point. Keep pets secured. If the issue is in the ceiling, make sure the electrician can reach the manhole safely.
- Have your meter location and parking details ready. Many Eastern Suburbs streets are tight in the evening. Good directions help the electrician arrive faster and avoid delays.
If power is out, keep the fridge and freezer closed to save food. Use torches, not candles. Candles add fire risk when everyone is moving around in the dark.
What Good Service Looks Like
A good emergency electrician will assess the hazard first, then make the site safe. They will test circuits with a meter, check for heat damage, and isolate any faulty run or device. You should expect clear language about what failed and why.
If parts are required, they will secure the area so you can stay at home safely while waiting for the repair window or a morning parts run.
Pricing should be explained before work begins. Ask what the call-out covers, what after-hours rates apply, and how quotes work if the job becomes a larger repair. A straightforward invoice helps with home insurance claims if damage occurred during a storm or a leak.
Fix It For Good
Once the urgent hazard is addressed, ask about preventing a repeat. Simple upgrades can reduce risk and nuisance trips across the year.
Safety switches on all circuits are standard in modern homes. If your switchboard only protects power points, ask about adding protection for lights and fixed appliances. Labelled circuits help you when you need to switch one off quickly.
Tired points, loose fittings, and corroded outdoor sockets are common in coastal suburbs. Replacing them before summer storm season makes outages less likely. If you run many devices on one double power point, consider adding more outlets or a small circuit.
Overloading a power board is a common reason for hot plugs and trips.
Kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans help manage moisture. If a fan is noisy or slow, replace it before the next wet week. Moisture near lights and power points raises shock risk and can lead to early failures.
After The Emergency
Keep a simple home record. Note which circuit was fixed, what parts were replaced, and any advice the electrician gave. If a leak or storm was involved, record the date, take a few photos, and store invoices. This helps if you later talk to strata, a landlord, or your insurer.
If power dipped across the street as well, ask neighbours if they were affected. Street-wide issues can come from the network. Your electrician can advise if a network fault is likely and whether you should also log it with your energy provider.
A yearly check of your switchboard, outdoor points, and any DIY add-ons saves stress later. Many families book this before summer storms or before holiday travel so the fridge, smoke alarms, and security lights keep working while they are away.
Takeaway
A calm plan protects your home. Step back from hazards, call 000 if there is fire or shock, then call a licensed emergency electrician to make the area safe and do proper repairs. With the right help on the day and a few small upgrades later, you can keep power steady and your family comfortable.
