When electricity acts up, it can be hard to tell if you’re dealing with an inconvenience or a true emergency. In Commerce City—and anywhere along the Front Range—electrical issues can escalate quickly into fire, shock, or serious property damage. This guide explains what qualifies as an electrical emergency, what to do in the moment, and when it’s safe to schedule a standard service call instead.
First things first: when to call 911
Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Smoke, flames, or a burning smell coming from an outlet, switch, appliance, or your electrical panel
- Downed power lines in your yard or street (stay at least 35 feet away; keep others back)
- Electrical shock to any person (even “minor” shocks can be dangerous)
- Water and electricity mixing—a flooded basement with energized outlets/panel, a sparking appliance near water, or standing water after a storm where power is still on
If you can safely do so, turn off the main breaker and evacuate. Do not use water on electrical fires—use a Class C fire extinguisher only. After first responders secure the scene, call a licensed electrician to repair and restore service.
Common electrical emergencies in homes (and what to do)
1) Burning smell, scorch marks, or smoke
A hot, “fishy,” or burning plastic odor from a device, outlet, or panel is a red flag for overheating or arcing. Scorch marks or melted faceplates confirm heat damage.
What to do:
Turn off the affected circuit (or the main breaker if you’re not sure which circuit it is), keep the area clear, and call for emergency electrical service. If smoke or flames are present, call 911 first.
2) Repeated breaker tripping with heat or buzzing
Breakers trip to protect you. If a breaker won’t reset, trips again immediately, or the panel buzzes/hums and feels warm to the touch, you may have a serious overload, loose connection, or failing breaker.
What to do:
Do not force the breaker on. Turn it off and call an emergency electrician for diagnostics. If the panel is hot or you hear crackling, step away and call 911.
3) Widespread flickering or partial power with burning odor
Citywide flickering can be a utility issue. But flicker in just your home, especially paired with hot devices or a burning smell, can indicate a loose neutral or failing connection that puts equipment and wiring at risk.
What to do:
Shut off sensitive electronics, avoid using large appliances, and call an electrician. If you smell burning or see smoke, cut power at the main and call 911.
4) Sparking outlets, switches, or light fixtures
A tiny snap when you plug in is normal. Visible sparks, arcing sounds, or repeated popping are not. These can be caused by loose terminations, worn receptacles, or damaged conductors.
What to do:
Turn off the circuit, stop using that device/location, and seek urgent service. If the outlet feels hot or shows soot, treat as an emergency.
5) Water intrusion near energized equipment
Heavy rain, burst pipes, or sump failures can bring water into contact with outlets, junction boxes, or the electrical panel. Water + electricity is dangerous even if nothing looks “on fire.”
What to do:
If safe, shut off power at the main breaker. Don’t touch wet panels, cords, or appliances. Call 911 if you see sparking, then call an electrician. After drying and remediation, you may need device replacements and a safety inspection.
6) Outlet, cord, or charger overheating
Outlets that feel hot, chargers that melt or discolor, or smells coming from a power strip point to overload, poor contact, or a failing device.
What to do:
Unplug immediately, turn off the circuit if necessary, and call an electrician to inspect and replace damaged components. Avoid daisy-chaining power strips.
7) Electric shock or tingle
A “tingle” from a faucet, appliance, or metal surface can indicate a grounding/bonding issue or a fault energizing surfaces that should be safe.
What to do:
Stop using the circuit, turn off the breaker if you can, and seek emergency help. If someone was shocked, call 911 first.
8) EV charger, hot tub, or HVAC wiring failure
High-load equipment—Level 2 EV chargers, spas/hot tubs, mini-splits, furnaces, A/C units—demands correct wiring and protection. Tripping breakers, melted whip connectors, or burning smells around these systems are emergencies.
What to do:
Cut power to the equipment at its disconnect or breaker. Do not attempt to use the system again until it’s inspected and repaired.
What’s urgent vs. what can wait for a scheduled visit?
Not every issue is a middle-of-the-night emergency. Here’s a quick guide:
Urgent—call now
- Burning smell, smoke, or visible charring
- Hot panel, breakers, outlets, or switches
- Repeated tripping that won’t reset and includes heat/buzzing
- Sparks/arcing sounds
- Water reaching outlets, wiring, or panel
- Electric shock/tingle
- Downed lines or electrical fire
Soon, but not 911
- One room without power (breaker trips but resets and stays)
- A single non-working outlet or switch (no heat, no smell)
- Mild, occasional flicker isolated to one fixture
- GFCI that trips after heavy rain in an exterior location (dry out and retest)
If you’re unsure, err on the side of safety: turn off the affected circuit and call a licensed electrician for advice.
Commerce City homeowners: specific local scenarios
- Storms & high winds: Downed branches can pull on service masts and meter connections. If you see damage at the weatherhead or meter, stay clear and call the utility and an electrician.
- Older panels: If your home still has Federal Pacific (FPE) or Zinsco panels, they’re known for reliability and safety concerns. Overheating or tripping issues with these brands are higher risk—treat signs of heat or odor as an emergency.
- Detached garages & shops: Long runs and DIY additions can create voltage drop, overheating, or undersized wiring. If a garage circuit smells hot or trips repeatedly, cut power and get help.
- Basement flooding: Many Commerce City homes have basements; even a few inches of water around outlets or the panel is dangerous. Don’t wade in—turn off power at the main if you can safely reach it, or call 911/your utility.
Immediate steps to stay safe (if it’s safe to do so)
- Cut power to the affected circuit or the main breaker if you cannot isolate the issue.
- Unplug nearby devices and keep combustible items clear.
- Do not touch hot, buzzing, or wet electrical equipment.
- Evacuate if there’s smoke, fire, or a persistent burning smell.
- Call 911 for fire, shock, or downed lines; then call a licensed electrician.
How to prevent emergencies
- Don’t ignore warning signs: heat, odor, buzzing, or visible damage.
- Upgrade aging equipment: Replace obsolete panels and aluminum pigtails properly; add whole-home surge protection.
- Use the right protection: AFCI/GFCI where required; WR/GFCI on exterior circuits.
- Right-size your service: If you’ve added an EV charger, hot tub, or workshop tools, consider a 200A panel and dedicated circuits.
- Avoid overloads: Space heaters, window A/Cs, and free-standing heaters should use dedicated circuits when possible.
- Keep water away: Elevate power strips, dehumidify basements, and fix leaks fast.
- Schedule inspections: Before a remodel, home sale, or major appliance upgrade, get a load calculation and safety check.
FAQs
Is one tripped breaker an emergency?
Not usually. If it resets and holds—and nothing feels hot or smells—book a standard service call. If it won’t reset, trips instantly, or the panel is hot/buzzing, treat it as urgent.
Is a faint “electrical” smell always dangerous?
Odors can signal overheating insulation or failing components. If you smell burning plastic or see discoloration, shut off the circuit and call for help.
My lights flicker when the A/C starts. Is that an emergency?
Brief, minor dips can be normal on older systems. But frequent or worsening flicker, especially in multiple rooms or with warmth/odor, needs prompt evaluation.
Can I spray water on a sparking outlet?
Never. Shut off the breaker, keep away, and call a professional. Use a Class C extinguisher only if you’re trained and it’s safe.
Need emergency electrical help in Commerce City?
If you’re facing smoke, heat, sparks, water intrusion, or shock, get help now. Wavelength Electricians provides fast, code-correct emergency service for Commerce City and the Denver Metro area. We secure the scene, diagnose the cause, and make lasting repairs—with clear communication, upfront pricing, and tidy workmanship.
Call: (720) 734-8775
Service Area: Commerce City, Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Westminster, Arvada, Lakewood & nearby Front Range communities
Your safety comes first. When in doubt, power down and call a pro.
