Do I need an emergency electrician now, or can it wait until the morning?
Call an emergency electrician now when there is heat, a burning smell, sparking, water on electrics, or protection that will not reset with everything unplugged. A single dead socket or light with no heat, smell or noise can usually wait for a daytime visit. Fire, smoke or a shock means 999 first.
| What is happening | Call now (24/7) | Book a daytime visit |
|---|---|---|
| Burning or fishy smell, scorching or a warm switch, socket or fuse board | Yes: switch off the circuit if that is safe, keep clear and call | No: overheating gets worse, not better |
| Socket or plug sparks, or a breaker trips with a bang or flash | Yes: stop using the outlet and isolate its circuit if safe | No |
| RCD or breaker trips again with every appliance unplugged | Yes: leave it off; the fault is in the wiring or an accessory | No |
| Water has reached sockets, lights, an appliance or the fuse board | Yes: do not touch anything wet or live; switch off at the main switch only if you can do so dry | No |
| One socket or one light has stopped, nothing is hot, smelly or noisy | Not usually needed | Yes: stop using it and book fault finding |
| Lights flicker in one room with no other symptoms | Not usually needed | Yes: note when it happens and which fittings |
| The whole street is dark | No: this is a network outage | No: report it free on 105 and check the live outage map |
| Flames, smoke or someone has had a shock | 999 first, then call once everyone is safe | No |
If any row in the first four applies, call now. Anything that is dead but cold, quiet and dry can be booked for the next working day. A same-night visit is about removing a risk, not restoring convenience.
