Smoke or fire: get out
Leave the building and call 911. Do not try to find the source.
Sparking, burning smell, or hot outlets and panels?
Sparks, a burning smell, a hot outlet or panel, buzzing or repeated breaker trips are signs of an electrical fault that can start a fire. If there is smoke or fire, get out and call 911. Otherwise switch off that circuit if safe, then call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent electrician does the work.
Am I in the right place?Yes for burning smells, sparking or arcing, scorched or hot outlets and switches, a buzzing panel, flickering lights, or part of the property without power.
Is this urgent?Yes. Electrical faults can start fires inside walls. Smoke or flames: leave and call 911. Downed lines: stay away and call the utility.
What do I do next?Switch off the affected breaker if you can do it safely and dry, then call 833-877-1717 with the ZIP code and what you see or smell.
Breaker that will not stay on: breaker keeps tripping. Part of the building dark: partial power outage. Panel problems: electrical panel repair.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
What to do now
Cut power to the circuit
If it is safe and you are dry, switch off the breaker for the affected area, or the main breaker if you are unsure. Do not touch a panel that is hot, wet, sparking or smoking.
Unplug and stay clear
Unplug devices from the affected outlet if it is not hot or sparking. Do not use the outlet again until it is checked.
Water, downed lines and hot panels
Never touch electrical equipment while standing in water. Keep at least 35 feet from downed power lines and anything they touch, and call the utility and 911. A panel that is hot, buzzing loudly, smoking or wet should not be touched: leave it and call.
Warning signs that need an electrician
Burning or fishy smell
Overheating wiring or devices often smell before they fail.
Hot, discolored or sparking outlet
Loose connections and failing receptacles. See outlet and GFCI repair.
Breakers that keep tripping
Overloads, short circuits or a failing breaker. See breaker keeps tripping.
Flickering or dimming lights
Loose connections or service problems. See wiring repair.
Utility or electrician?
Call the utility
Outages across your street, downed lines, and damage to the service drop or meter on the outside of the building.
Call an electrician
Problems inside your property: outlets, switches, wiring, breakers, the panel, and partial power loss when neighbors have power.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code, home or business
- What you see, smell or hear, and where
- Whether you switched off a breaker or the main
- Whether neighbors have power
- Any water near electrical equipment
- Age of the building, if known
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles emergency electrical repair in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Emergency electrician questions
What counts as an electrical emergency?
Smoke, burning smells, sparking or arcing, hot or scorched outlets, switches or panels, buzzing panels, and water reaching electrical equipment. Fire or smoke is a 911 call first.
Can I call for an emergency electrician at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Should I turn off the main breaker?
If you smell burning and cannot tell which circuit is involved, switching off the main from a dry spot is a reasonable step. Do not touch a panel that is hot, wet, smoking or sparking.
Why does my outlet feel warm?
Loose wiring, a failing receptacle, or too much load on the circuit. Stop using it and have it checked.
Is a flickering light dangerous?
One flickering bulb is usually the bulb. Flickering across rooms, or with buzzing or a burning smell, can mean a loose connection and should be checked.
Does RepairNowUSA send its own electricians?
No. Independent licensed electricians, where licensing applies, diagnose and perform the work.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.