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Safety card

Sparks, a burning smell, or a hot outlet

The short answer

Smoke or flame: leave and call 911. No smoke: switch off that circuit (or the main) at the breaker, don’t touch the outlet, and leave it off until an electrician has looked.

Never use water on an electrical fireA hot outlet, scorch marks or a burning-plastic smell means a connection is failing and can start a fire inside the wall.

Know your shutoffs

Electrical panel and main breakerThe breaker panel (or fuse box), often in a garage, basement, utility room or hallway.

Related

Breaker keeps tripping after you reset itLights flickering or dimmingWater near outlets, the panel or appliances

Written from

Original casaq guidance, updated 2026-10-05. General guidance, not a diagnosis; licensed-pro review pending. Severity levels: Emergency now / Today / This week / This month / Watch. Send a correction.

Emergency now

Sparks, a burning smell, or a hot outlet

Cut the power if you can do it safely. Otherwise leave.

Do this right now
  1. Smoke or flame? Leave and call 911Close doors behind you on the way out. Never use water on an electrical fire.
  2. No smoke: switch off that circuit's breakerIf you can't tell which one, switch off the main breaker. Don't touch the outlet, plug or cord.
  3. Leave it off until an electrician looksA hot outlet or burning smell means a connection is failing.

Reset nothing yourself if the breaker trips again. Do not open the panel.

Call 911

Afterwards: a licensed electrician.

casaq triage library · general guidance, not a diagnosis · licensed-pro review pendingCorrections