DIY guideSparks and shocks

Water near anything electrical: don't touch

Stay out of the water, never unplug anything standing in it, and cut the power only from a dry spot.

4 steps

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Keep everyone and pets out of water that touches an outlet, a cord or anything plugged in.
Someone got a shock? Don't touch them while they're in the water. Call 911.
Leave plugs, cords and machines alone while they are wet or you're standing in water.
Touching them can give you a serious shock.
If you can reach the panel on a dry floor, switch off the breaker for that area, or the main.
If the panel or the floor in front of it is wet, don't touch it.
Can't reach it from a dry spot? Call your power utility. Then ask Handyman for an electrician to check what got wet.

Someone got a shock: call 911
Water is near the panel, or you'd have to step in water to reach it: call your power utility
Anything plugged in got wet: an electrician checks it before it's used again

Handyman says: Water by the panel? Call your power utility.

Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.