If you suspect an electrical emergency in your home — burning smells, visible sparks, outlets or panels that are hot to the touch, flickering lights combined with buzzing sounds, or a circuit that won’t reset — treat it seriously and act quickly. The most important first step is to get people out of any area where you see or smell burning, shut off power at the breaker panel if you can do so safely, and call a licensed emergency electrician. Do not attempt to diagnose or repair the problem yourself.

Signs You May Have an Electrical Emergency

Not every electrical problem is an emergency, but these signs warrant immediate action:

  • Burning smell coming from an outlet, switch, panel, or wall cavity — even without visible smoke
  • Visible sparks from an outlet, appliance connection, or inside the electrical panel
  • An outlet, switch plate, or panel door that is warm or hot to the touch
  • Buzzing, crackling, or popping sounds from walls, outlets, or the breaker panel
  • Lights that dim or flicker throughout the house simultaneously (not just one fixture)
  • A breaker that trips immediately every time you reset it
  • Any sign of scorching or discoloration around outlets, switches, or the panel

If you see or smell smoke, or if you have any reason to believe an electrical fire has started inside a wall or at a fixture, leave the home immediately and call 911 before calling an electrician.

How to Shut Off Power Safely

If the situation allows — meaning there’s no immediate fire and the panel itself isn’t the source of the problem — you can shut off the affected circuit at the breaker or cut power to the entire home by switching off the main breaker. The main breaker is typically at the top of the panel and is labeled “Main.” Do not touch the panel if the panel door is warm, if you see signs of arcing or burning at the panel, or if there is water near the panel. In those cases, leave the home and call 911.

Never use water on an electrical fire. If a fire has started, evacuate and call emergency services. A dry chemical fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires (Class C) can be used on a contained electrical fire if you have one immediately at hand and the fire is very small — but evacuation and 911 come first.

Why Electrical Emergencies Require a Licensed Electrician

Electrical emergencies are not DIY situations. The underlying causes — arcing faults, overloaded circuits, failing insulation, loose connections at the panel — require diagnostic equipment and the training to use it safely. A licensed electrician can use a thermal imaging camera to find hot spots inside walls, test for arc faults at the panel, identify overloaded circuits, and make the repairs that address the root cause rather than just the symptom. After an electrical fire or near-miss, an inspection of the full panel and connected wiring is essential to confirm the system is safe before you restore power.

What Done’s Emergency Electricians Do When They Arrive

Done’s emergency electricians are equipped to handle the diagnostic and repair work that electrical emergencies require. When we arrive, we assess the situation, identify the source of the problem, and give you an honest assessment of what needs to be done immediately versus what can be addressed in a follow-up visit. We carry common parts on our trucks to resolve many emergency situations in a single visit. And because Done also handles panel and wiring work, we can address upstream issues — like an aging panel that’s a contributing factor — without requiring you to schedule a separate contractor.

After the Emergency: What to Check

Once the immediate situation is resolved, consider a broader electrical inspection if your home is older or if you’ve had recurring electrical issues. Denver has significant housing stock from the 1950s through 1980s, some of which still has aluminum wiring, knob-and-tube remnants, or panels that have been modified outside of code over the decades. An inspection gives you a clear picture of what’s safe, what’s aging, and what represents genuine risk — so you can make informed decisions rather than waiting for the next emergency.

If you’re dealing with an electrical emergency right now, call Done immediately. For non-emergency electrical concerns, visit our electrical services page or explore smart home and safety solutions to add proactive protection to your home’s electrical system.