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Safety card

Water near outlets, the panel or appliances

The short answer

Do not step into water that may touch outlets, cords, appliances or the panel. Cut the power at the main breaker only if you can reach it while standing somewhere dry; otherwise call your utility or 911.

Standing water can be liveDo not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity only if it is safe to do so.

Know your shutoffs

Electrical panel and main breakerThe breaker panel (or fuse box), often in a garage, basement, utility room or hallway.Main water shutoffWhere the water line enters the house: a basement or crawlspace wall, the garage, a utility closet, or near the water heater in warm climates.

Related

A pipe burst or water is pouring inSump pump not running and water is risingSparks, a burning smell, or a hot outlet

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

Water is reaching electrics

Stay out of the water. Power off only from somewhere dry.

Do this right now
  1. Keep everyone out of the wet areaDo not touch anything plugged in, and keep children and pets away.
  2. Cut power only if you can stay dryIf the panel is in a dry spot you can reach without crossing water, switch off the main breaker. If not, call your electric utility or 911.
  3. Then stop the waterOnce power is off (or the water is not near electrics), close the main water shutoff if a pipe or appliance is the source.

Have an electrician check anything that got wet before the power goes back on in that area.

Call 911

Afterwards: a licensed electrician and a plumber.

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