Emergency Electricians: When Should You Call One?

Oct 18, 2025

Not every electrical issue needs immediate attention. But when something goes wrong that could affect your safety or damage your home, it’s time to act fast.

At LBA Electrical Services, we offer fast-response emergency call-outs across Merseyside and the surrounding areas. But we also know that in a stressful moment, it can be hard to tell what really counts as an emergency. In this post, we’ll explain when to call an emergency electrician, what to do while you wait, and when it’s safe to wait until normal working hours.

⚡ What Is an Electrical Emergency?

An electrical emergency is any situation that poses an immediate risk to life, property, or critical systems. If there’s a risk of fire, electrocution, or major disruption, don’t delay — call a qualified electrician straight away.

Common reasons to call an emergency electrician:

  • Burning smell from sockets or fuse board
  • Sparking or arcing outlets
  • Total power loss in your home
  • Repeated tripping that won’t reset
  • Flooding near electrical wiring
  • Live wires exposed or hanging loose
  • Electrical shock received from a socket or appliance

🚫 What Isn’t an Emergency?

Not every electrical issue is urgent. While inconvenient, these problems can usually wait for a scheduled visit:

  • A single plug socket not working
  • A bulb blowing or fuse tripping once
  • A faulty extractor fan or bathroom light
  • Electrical certificate or inspection requests

If in doubt, call us for advice — we’ll let you know whether you need immediate help or can book a next-available slot.

🛠️ What To Do While You Wait

If you’ve called an emergency electrician and help is on the way, take the following precautions:

  • ✅ Turn off the power at the main switch if safe to do so
  • ✅ Keep away from damaged or exposed wiring
  • ✅ Avoid using water near electrical sources (especially in flooding situations)
  • ✅ Do not attempt any DIY repairs

Your safety is the priority — even if power is out, leave the issue to a qualified professional.