What Should You Do If You Notice Smoke from an Electrical Outlet?

If you've suddenly noticed smoke emanating from a wall outlet, you may be tempted to panic. Yet it's important to keep your cool and take certain actions to try and avoid any escalation. So, what should you do?

First Things First

Your first action should be to figure out whether any active fire is hidden behind the drywall. If you've just noticed some smoke as you plug in a device, you may be able to avert any outright fire by turning the switch off and unplugging the device. Does the area around the outlet feel hot to the touch, or does smoke continue to pour from the outlet? If so, you should get in touch with the fire authority and be prepared to evacuate the property. If you have an extinguisher handy, make sure that it is powder-based, as you should never use water to try and deal with an electrical fire.

Loose Connections or Unwanted Debris

If there is no further evidence of fire, then you need to determine the cause of the problem. This could be linked to loose wires or damaged connections, which can lead to an electrical arc, smoke and potential fire. There may also be some debris within the outlet, which could lead to a short circuit. Any short circuit will generate heat, which could lead to a potential fire hazard, and any dirt and debris will need to be cleaned out carefully.

Overloaded System

Occasionally, a short circuit can be caused when you plug too many devices into a single outlet. This is not unusual as people attempt to plug in so many devices around an entertainment system. Still, this may overload the circuit, which is only designed to handle a certain number of amps. Typically, an overload will trip the circuit breaker and cut off power to the circuit, but if this doesn't happen, it will lead to a buildup of heat accompanied by smoke.

Older Wiring

If the wiring system in your home is quite old, you may be dealing with corrosion or other deterioration. These events could also lead to sparking and arcing with associated heat.

What to Do Next

It's difficult to determine what may be going on behind that outlet cover without closer investigation, and for most people, this will mean bringing in a professional. Certainly, don't attempt to clean any debris from within an outlet without taking appropriate safety measures, and don't attempt to plug anything back into the particular outlet until you have spoken to an expert.

Get in touch with an electrician who offers emergency electric work and explain the issue. They will quickly advise on the next course of action.


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