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Emergency Electrical Safety Checklist

Essential steps to protect yourself and your family during electrical emergencies

Schedule Service

🚨 QUICK EMERGENCY REFERENCE

FIRE/IMMEDIATE DANGER

📞 911

ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY

📞 (703) 997-0026

POWER COMPANY

📞 Dominion Energy: 1-866-366-4357

Emergency Severity Levels

Understand the urgency and appropriate response for different electrical emergencies

🔥

CRITICAL - Call 911 Immediately

Situations:

  • • Electrical fires or smoke
  • • Person receiving electrical shock
  • • Burning smell from electrical panel
  • • Downed power lines
  • • Sparking electrical equipment

Immediate Actions:

  • • Call 911 first
  • • Evacuate the area if safe
  • • Turn off main breaker if accessible
  • • Do NOT use water on electrical fires
  • • Wait for emergency services
⚠️

WARNING - Call Emergency Electrician

Situations:

  • • Complete power loss (not area-wide)
  • • Multiple circuit breaker trips
  • • Hot electrical panels or outlets
  • • Intermittent electrical shocks
  • • Flickering lights throughout home

Immediate Actions:

  • • Call (703) 997-0026
  • • Turn off affected circuits
  • • Unplug major appliances
  • • Use flashlights (not candles)
  • • Stay away from problem areas
ℹ️

CAUTION - Schedule Urgent Service

Situations:

  • • Single circuit breaker keeps tripping
  • • GFCI outlets not working
  • • Warm outlet covers
  • • Dimming lights when appliances start
  • • Unusual buzzing from electrical panel

Immediate Actions:

  • • Schedule same-day service
  • • Avoid using affected circuits
  • • Document the issues
  • • Monitor for worsening conditions
  • • Keep emergency contacts handy

Step-by-Step Emergency Response

Follow these steps in order during any electrical emergency

1

🔍 ASSESS THE SITUATION

Quickly but safely evaluate what's happening. Your safety is the top priority.

✅ Safe to Approach:

  • • Single outlet not working
  • • Lights flickering occasionally
  • • Circuit breaker tripped
  • • Minor electrical smell (not burning)

❌ STAY AWAY:

  • • Visible sparks or arcing
  • • Smoke or burning odor
  • • Water near electrical equipment
  • • Downed power lines
2

⚡ SHUT OFF POWER (If Safe)

Cutting power can prevent further damage and reduce danger.

⚠️ Safety First: Only approach electrical panels if there's no visible damage, water, or sparking.

Main Breaker Location:

  • • Usually largest switch at top
  • • May be labeled "MAIN"
  • • Flip to OFF position
  • • Should cut all power to home

Individual Circuits:

  • • Identify affected area
  • • Look for tripped breakers
  • • Turn breaker fully OFF then ON
  • • If it trips again, leave OFF
3

📞 CALL FOR HELP

Get professional help immediately. Don't wait for problems to worsen.

🔥 FIRE/DANGER

911

Electrical fires, injuries, immediate danger

⚡ ELECTRICAL

(703) 997-0026

24/7 emergency electrician

🏭 POWER OUTAGE

1-866-366-4357

Dominion Energy

4

🛡️ ENSURE SAFETY

Protect yourself and others while waiting for help to arrive.

✅ DO:

  • • Keep everyone away from problem area
  • • Use flashlights (not candles)
  • • Unplug non-essential appliances
  • • Document what happened
  • • Have someone flag down electrician

❌ DON'T:

  • • Use water near electrical equipment
  • • Touch electrical panels if wet
  • • Attempt DIY electrical repairs
  • • Use elevators during power issues
  • • Leave candles unattended
5

📝 PREPARE FOR ELECTRICIAN

Help the electrician diagnose and fix the problem quickly.

Information to Gather:

  • • When did the problem start?
  • • What were you doing when it happened?
  • • Which areas are affected?
  • • Any recent electrical work?
  • • Age of your electrical system?

Prepare Access:

  • • Clear path to electrical panel
  • • Locate main water shut-off
  • • Have recent electrical bills ready
  • • Turn on outside lights if dark
  • • Keep pets secured

Emergency Preparedness Kit

Essential items every home should have for electrical emergencies

🔦

Lighting

  • • LED flashlights (one per person)
  • • Extra batteries
  • • Battery-powered lanterns
  • • Avoid candles for safety
📞

Communication

  • • Battery-powered radio
  • • Charged cell phone
  • • Portable phone charger
  • • Emergency contact list
🛠️

Basic Tools

  • • Insulated screwdriver
  • • Non-contact voltage tester
  • • Circuit breaker labels
  • • Electrical tape
🏥

First Aid

  • • First aid kit
  • • Burn treatment supplies
  • • Emergency medications
  • • Emergency blankets
🔥

Fire Safety

  • • Class C fire extinguisher
  • • Smoke detector batteries
  • • Fire escape plan
  • • Meeting point designated
📋

Documentation

  • • Electrical panel diagram
  • • Emergency contact numbers
  • • Insurance information
  • • Utility company numbers

📋 PRINTABLE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST

Emergency Numbers

Fire/Police/Medical Emergency: 911
AJ Long Electric (24/7): (703) 997-0026
Dominion Energy: 1-866-366-4357
Gas Company: _________________
Insurance Company: _________________

Emergency Steps

1. Assess situation - ensure personal safety first
2. Shut off power at main breaker (if safe)
3. Call 911 for fires or immediate danger
4. Call emergency electrician for electrical issues
5. Keep everyone away from problem area
6. Use flashlights, never candles
7. Wait for professional help
Keep this checklist in an easily accessible location. Review with family members regularly.

Questions About Electrical Safety?

Our emergency electricians are available 24/7 to help Northern Virginia families

📞 Emergency: (703) 997-0026 Learn More About Emergency Services