Not every electrical fault is an emergency — but some are genuinely dangerous and must not wait until morning. Knowing the difference can prevent a fire or a shock. Here's how to tell.
Call immediately for these
- A burning smell or smoke from sockets, switches or the DB board
- Sparking or arcing anywhere
- Sockets or switches hot to the touch
- Exposed live wiring
- Any electricity meeting water
- Total power loss with a clear sign of a fault (burning smell, a main that won't reset)
These carry fire and shock risk and should be treated as urgent.
What to do first
If it's safe, switch off the affected circuit — or the main switch — at the DB board to cut the danger. Don't touch anything wet or any exposed wiring, keep people away, and call an electrician. If there's fire, get everyone out and call emergency services first.
Is a power failure an emergency?
Not always — first rule out load-shedding or a neighbourhood outage. But if only your home is dark, the main won't reset, or there's a burning smell, treat it as urgent. See our power failure diagnostics.
Who to call
We respond to genuine electrical emergencies across Sandton, Midrand and the East Rand — you reach Garth directly, not a call centre. See emergency electrician or emergency callouts.