What to Do in an Electrical Emergency: A Safety Guide for Scottish Homes

Electrical emergencies are uncommon in modern Scottish homes but they do happen. A burning smell from a socket, sparks from an accessory, an unexplained loss of power, or an electric shock all need a quick and calm response. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes makes a meaningful difference to the outcome. This guide covers what counts as a real electrical emergency, the safe response steps, when to call an emergency electrician, and when to call SSEN (the network operator) at 105 instead.

The first principle: stay calm and think safety

Most electrical emergencies are not immediate life threatening events. They are situations where there is risk that needs to be contained quickly to prevent serious harm. The right response is structured: assess the situation, isolate the supply if needed, get clear of any immediate danger, and call for help.

The wrong response is to investigate the fault yourself or to attempt repairs while the supply is live. Electrical work is dangerous; trained professionals exist for these situations.

What counts as a real electrical emergency?

Fire risk indicators

• Burning smell from a socket, switch, light fitting, or the consumer unit.
• Smoke from any electrical equipment.
• Visible sparks from an accessory or appliance.
• Hot or melted plastic on any electrical accessory.
• Scorch marks appearing where they were not before.

Shock risk indicators

• Anyone has received an electric shock from an accessory or appliance.
• A tingling sensation when touching metal appliances or fittings.
• Damaged wiring with exposed conductors visible.
• Water has reached electrical equipment.

Loss of power indicators

• The whole property has lost power and the consumer unit appears tripped.
• A circuit breaker keeps tripping immediately when reset.
• Repeated trips on multiple circuits across an evening.
• Total loss of supply when the consumer unit looks normal (likely an SSEN network fault rather than a property issue).

Any of these warrants immediate action. Some require an electrician; some require SSEN. The boundary is at the property meter: faults inside the property are an electrician’s responsibility; faults at the supply or on the network are SSEN’s responsibility.

Step by step: what to do in the first 5 minutes

Step 1: Assess the situation

Look and listen briefly. What do you see, hear, or smell? Is there visible smoke or fire? Has anyone received a shock? Is the entire property without power, or is it just one circuit? The answers shape what you do next.

Step 2: Isolate the supply (if safe)

If you can identify the affected circuit at the consumer unit, switch off the relevant breaker or pull the relevant fuse. If you cannot identify the circuit, switch off the main switch in the consumer unit. The whole property is then without power but the immediate hazard is contained.

Do not touch anything electrical that is wet, damaged, or showing signs of fire. If the consumer unit itself is the source of the smell or smoke, do not approach it; isolate at the meter or call SSEN at 105 to disconnect the supply.

Step 3: Get clear of the affected area

Move yourself and other occupants away from the affected location. If there is fire or significant smoke, leave the property. Close doors behind you if it is safe to do so to slow any fire spread.

Step 4: Call the right number

For active fire or smoke: call 999.

For an electrical fault inside the property: call an emergency electrician.

For a network fault (whole street without power, damaged supply equipment): call SSEN at 105.

Step 5: Wait for help

Once help is on the way, do not attempt repairs yourself. Even isolated equipment can have residual charge. Wait for the qualified electrician to make the situation safe before reusing any affected equipment.

Property fault vs SSEN network fault: how to tell

The single most useful diagnostic is whether your neighbours have power. If they do, the fault is at your property and you need an electrician. If they do not, the fault is on the SSEN network and SSEN needs to attend.

Symptom	Likely cause	Who to call
Whole property without power, neighbours also affected	SSEN network fault	SSEN at 105
Whole property without power, neighbours have power	Property fault (consumer unit, supply tails)	Emergency electrician
One circuit without power, others working	Tripped breaker on a circuit fault	Emergency electrician (or routine if not urgent)
Burning smell from any accessory	Property fault (overheating)	Emergency electrician
Visible damage to overhead lines or street equipment	SSEN network damage	SSEN at 105
Electric shock from an appliance	Property fault (appliance or supply)	Emergency electrician

SSEN priority service register

SSEN operates a Priority Services Register for households where loss of power is a particular concern: people with medical equipment dependent on power, elderly residents, people with disabilities, and households with very young children. Registration is free and provides priority response in the event of a network outage.

If your household qualifies, register before any emergency happens. SSEN can be contacted on 0800 294 3259 or through their website. The register is open to any household with relevant needs and provides genuinely useful priority during outage events.

What to do in specific scenarios

Burning smell from a socket

1. Unplug whatever is connected to the socket if you can do so safely.
2. Switch off the breaker for that circuit at the consumer unit.
3. Open windows in the affected area.
4. Call an emergency electrician.
5. Do not use the socket again until it has been inspected and any required repair completed.

Visible sparks from an accessory

1. Move clear of the affected area.
2. Switch off the main switch at the consumer unit (rather than just the affected circuit).
3. Call an emergency electrician.
4. Do not approach the affected accessory until the supply is fully isolated and confirmed safe.

Electric shock from an appliance

1. Stop using the appliance immediately.
2. Switch off the affected circuit at the consumer unit.
3. If the person who received the shock is unwell, call 999.
4. Call an emergency electrician to investigate the underlying fault.
5. Do not use the appliance or the circuit until both are confirmed safe.

Water has reached electrical equipment

1. Do not touch the wet equipment or any associated metal surfaces.
2. Switch off the main switch at the consumer unit.
3. If the consumer unit itself is wet, do not approach; call SSEN at 105 to isolate the supply at the meter.
4. Call an emergency electrician.
5. Do not energise the affected equipment until it has been inspected and confirmed safe.

A breaker keeps tripping immediately when reset

1. Stop resetting the breaker; the persistent trip indicates a real fault on the circuit.
2. Identify what is connected to that circuit.
3. If you suspect a specific appliance, unplug it and try resetting the breaker.
4. If the breaker still trips, leave it off and call an emergency electrician for diagnosis.

Preventing electrical emergencies

Most electrical emergencies are preventable through routine maintenance and timely upgrades:

• Regular EICR cycles: 5 years for landlords, 10 years for owner occupiers. The inspection identifies issues before they cause problems.
• Annual visual self check: Walk through the property checking sockets, switches, and the consumer unit. For details, see our companion guide on is my fuse box safe in Scotland.
• Replace older consumer units: Pre 2008 consumer units typically lack comprehensive RCD protection and are at higher risk of developing issues.
• Address minor issues promptly: A worn socket today is a fire risk in 6 months if left in service.
• Use NICEIC certified contractors: Certified work is less likely to develop problems than uncertified work.
• Avoid overloading sockets: Use extension leads only for short term temporary needs, not as permanent fixtures.
• Replace damaged appliances and accessories: Do not continue using equipment with visible damage.

Frequently asked questions

My RCD has tripped and will not reset. Is this an emergency?

An RCD that will not reset means there is an active earth fault on the circuit. Identify what is connected to the affected circuit and unplug appliances one by one to find the source. If the RCD resets after unplugging a specific appliance, that appliance is likely faulty. If the RCD will not reset even with everything unplugged, the fault is in the fixed wiring and needs an electrician. Not strictly an emergency provided the breaker is left in the safe off position, but worth scheduling promptly.

What if the smell or smoke is coming from my consumer unit?

The consumer unit itself is a serious situation. Do not approach the unit; call SSEN at 105 to have the supply disconnected at the meter, then call an emergency electrician once the supply is isolated. If there is visible flame, leave the property and call 999.

Can I reset a breaker after it has tripped?

For most breakers that have tripped due to a transient overload (kettle plus toaster plus another high power appliance simultaneously), resetting once is appropriate. If the breaker trips again immediately, do not keep resetting; the fault is real and needs investigation.

My neighbours have power but I do not. What do I do?

This indicates a fault inside the property. Check the consumer unit; if the main switch is off, switch it back on. If a breaker is off, identify what tripped it. If everything looks normal at the consumer unit but the property still has no power, call an electrician for diagnosis.

Is it safe to use a mobile phone during an electrical emergency?

Yes. Mobile phones do not interact with the property’s electrical supply and are safe to use. Use the phone to call for help, document the situation if useful for the electrician, and stay in contact with anyone outside the property.

Contact Faithful Spark for emergency response

Faithful Spark provides emergency electrician services across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Peterhead, Ellon, and Fraserburgh. NICEIC certified, fast response, and same visit repair where possible. See our companion guide on emergency electrician services in Aberdeen.

Contact Faithful Spark

Faithful Spark Electricians. NICEIC approved. Local Aberdeen team. Emergency electrician services and routine electrical work for Aberdeen, Peterhead, Ellon, Fraserburgh and across Aberdeenshire.