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Electrical warning signs you should not ignore

Warm outlets, repeated breaker trips, flickering lights and a burning smell can signal a real electrical problem.

Some electrical problems announce themselves clearly. Others start as small annoyances that are easy to ignore. These signs deserve attention.

Call right away

A burning smell, smoke, sparking, or a hot or discolored outlet or panel. If you see smoke or fire, leave and call emergency services first. Do not open the panel or touch the equipment.

Schedule an inspection soon

Breakers that trip repeatedly, lights that flicker or dim when appliances start, buzzing from outlets or the panel, outlets that feel warm, a fuse box, or two-prong outlets throughout the house.

Why it matters

Loose connections, overloaded circuits and aging wiring generate heat. That heat is what makes electrical problems a fire risk, so it is worth having a licensed electrician look at them.

If you are unsure whether something is urgent, call us and describe what you are seeing.