When to Call an Emergency Electrician: Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

Electrical Emergencies Are Not DIY Territory

Every year, electrical fires cause hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage across Canada. Many of these fires start with warning signs that homeowners dismissed or delayed addressing. Knowing when to call an emergency electrician — and when to call 911 first — can save your home and your life.

New Toronto Electric provides 24/7 emergency electrical service across Toronto and the GTA. If you're unsure whether your situation is an emergency, call 647-642-0534 and we'll help you assess it over the phone.

Call 911 First If You See These Signs

Some electrical situations require emergency services before an electrician:

• Active electrical fire: Call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to extinguish an electrical fire with water.
• Electrocution or shock: Call 911. Do not touch the person if they are still in contact with the electrical source.
• Flooding near electrical panels: Call 911 and do not enter the area.

Call an Emergency Electrician Immediately For:

1. Burning Smell or Smoke from Outlets or Panels

A burning plastic or electrical smell is one of the most serious warning signs of an electrical emergency. It typically indicates overheating wiring, a failing connection, or an arc fault — all of which can ignite a fire inside your walls within minutes.

What to do: Turn off the circuit at the breaker if safe to do so. Do not use the outlet or switch. Call New Toronto Electric immediately at 647-642-0534.

2. Sparking Outlets or Switches

Occasional brief sparks when plugging in a device can be normal. But large sparks, sparks that persist, or sparks accompanied by a popping sound or burning smell are serious warning signs.

What to do: Stop using the outlet. If sparks are coming from the panel, do not touch it. Call an emergency electrician.

3. Breakers That Won't Reset or Trip Repeatedly

A breaker that trips once and resets normally is doing its job. A breaker that trips repeatedly, or one that trips and won't reset at all, indicates a serious problem — either a faulty breaker, an overloaded circuit, or a short circuit in the wiring.

What to do: Do not repeatedly reset a tripping breaker. This can cause the wiring to overheat. Call a licensed electrician.

4. Flickering or Dimming Lights Throughout the House

Lights that flicker occasionally when a large appliance starts up (like an air conditioner) are usually normal. But lights that flicker constantly, or that dim throughout the entire house, can indicate a loose main connection, a failing panel, or a problem with the utility service entrance — all of which require immediate attention.

5. Complete Loss of Power (Not a Utility Outage)

If your neighbours have power but you don't, the problem is in your home's electrical system. This could be a failed main breaker, a problem with the service entrance, or a severe fault in your wiring.

6. Hot Outlets, Switches, or Panels

Electrical components should never be hot to the touch. Heat indicates excessive current draw, a failing connection, or overloaded wiring — all fire hazards.

Problems That Can Wait (But Shouldn't Wait Long)

Some electrical issues are not immediate emergencies but should be addressed within days, not weeks:

• A single dead outlet or switch
• One circuit that keeps tripping (but doesn't smell or spark)
• Lights that flicker only on one circuit
• An older panel that hasn't been inspected recently

Toronto's 24/7 Emergency Electrician

New Toronto Electric provides around-the-clock emergency electrical service across Toronto and the GTA. We typically dispatch within 1–2 hours of your call. ESA Licensed #7017214. Call 647-642-0534 any time.