# What do I do in an electrical emergency, fire or shock? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. What do I do in an electrical emergency, fire or shock? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [What do I do in an electrical emergency, fire or shock?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-emergency-what-to-do/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) For fire, smoke, sparks, a shock or anyone hurt, get everyone out and call 000, and do not touch the equipment or the person. By Casey Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. What counts as an electrical emergency? 2. What if someone has had a shock? 3. What if there is an electrical fire? 4. What about fallen power lines? 5. What to tell the 000 operator 6. What should I do after the emergency? 7. How can I be ready before anything happens? 8. Frequently asked questions If there is fire, smoke, sparks, a shock or anyone injured, get everyone out and call 000 straight away. Do not touch a person who may still be in contact with electricity, and never use water on an electrical fire. Stay well clear of fallen power lines and tell the 000 operator about them. Call 000 now if There is fire or smoke, you see sparks, someone has had a shock, anyone is injured or unconscious, or a power line is down. Leave the building, keep children and pets with you and let the operator guide you. ## What counts as an electrical emergency? An emergency is anything where people are in immediate danger. That includes flames, smoke or sparks from a power point, appliance, switchboard or solar equipment, a person who has been shocked, and power lines on the ground or tangled in trees or fences. A burning smell, a hot fitting or a buzzing sound without flames is not yet a fire, but it is a warning. Keep away from it and call a licensed electrician urgently. If it gets worse, treat it as an emergency. ## What if someone has had a shock? Electricity can pass through a person and into whoever grabs them. That is why the first rule is not to touch the person or the equipment they are touching. Call 000 and follow the operator's instructions. They will tell you what to do while help is on the way. Even if the person seems fine afterwards, a shock can affect the heart. They should be checked by a doctor, and the equipment involved should not be used again until a licensed electrician has looked at it. ## What if there is an electrical fire? Get everyone out, stay out and call 000. Do not use water, because water conducts electricity. Do not go back inside for belongings. Tell the fire service where the fire started and what equipment was involved, because that helps them work safely. ## What about fallen power lines? Treat every fallen line as live, even if it looks dead or is not sparking. Keep well clear, keep others away and call 000 and your network provider. Do not approach a vehicle or fence that a line is touching. ## What to tell the 000 operator 1. Your address — Give the street address and nearest cross street, and say where you are standing. 2. What is happening — Say whether it is a fire, a shock, sparks or a fallen line, and what equipment is involved if you know. 3. Who is hurt — Tell them if anyone is injured, unconscious or still in contact with something. 4. Stay on the line — Follow the operator's instructions and stay at a safe distance from the hazard. ## What should I do after the emergency? Once everyone is safe and the emergency services have finished, do not use the equipment again. Leave anything that was involved exactly as it is. From a safe distance, you can photograph what you can see and note the time, which area was affected and the make and model on any label. Then contact a licensed electrician to find the cause and make the installation safe. The Electrical Safety Office Queensland has guidance on what to do in an electrical emergency at [its emergency page](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/what-do-electrical-emergency). ## How can I be ready before anything happens? Agree on an exit plan with everyone in the household, including a meeting point outside, so nobody goes back in to look for others. Make sure everyone knows your street address, because that is the first thing the operator will ask. Keep it somewhere visible for visitors and children. Warning signs are worth acting on early. Flickering lights, a burning smell, a hot or discoloured power point, a buzzing sound or a safety switch that keeps tripping all deserve a call to a licensed electrician before they turn into an emergency. Do not wait for something to get worse. ## Frequently asked questions - Do not use water. Leave the building, call 000 and let the fire service deal with it. - Do not touch them while they may still be in contact with electricity. Call 000 and follow the operator's instructions. - Stay well clear, keep others away and call 000 and your network provider. Treat the line as live. - Yes, it is worth being checked, because a shock can affect the heart even when you feel fine. Do not use the equipment again until a licensed electrician has inspected it. - A licensed electrician, who can find the cause and make the installation safe. Do not use the equipment until they have. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalBurning smell or hot power point: what to do right nowFor a burning smell, smoke, sparks or a hot power point, keep away; call 000 for fire or sparks and a licensed electrician urgently otherwise.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [ElectricalI got a tingle or shock from a tap or appliance: what do I do?Stop using it, keep everyone away, get medical advice and call your network provider's faults line, then a licensed electrician; 000 if anyone is hurt.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/tingle-shock-from-tap-or-appliance/) - [ElectricalWhat do I do in a Brisbane power outage?In a power outage, check whether it is street-wide, report it to your network provider and stay clear of fallen lines; call 000 if life is at risk.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/power-outage-what-to-do-brisbane/) - [ElectricalWhy is my house the only one without power?If neighbours still have power, the fault may be in your home's own electrical installation; check the outage map and call a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/only-my-house-no-power/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. What counts as an electrical emergency? 2. What if someone has had a shock? 3. What if there is an electrical fire? 4. What about fallen power lines? 5. What to tell the 000 operator 6. What should I do after the emergency? 7. How can I be ready before anything happens? 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-emergency-what-to-do/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).