Smoke or fire? Leave first.
Get outside, stay outside, and call 911 from a safe location. Do not wait for a website reply or go back inside to take a photograph.
Warning signs deserve attention
Unusual heat at an outlet or switch, discoloration, a burning smell, buzzing, flickering lights, or repeated breaker trips warrant professional attention. Stop using affected equipment and contact a qualified electrician.
Keep the covers in place
If there is no immediate danger, describe the affected room or device, when it started, and what was running. Leave panel and device covers in place; there is no need to expose wiring for a photo.
Water and electrical equipment
Keep clear of damaged or flooded electrical equipment. Have a qualified professional assess it before it is used again. Do not enter standing water to reach electrical controls.
During an outage
Follow your utility’s outage information. Operate portable generators outdoors at least 20 feet from the home, with exhaust directed away from buildings, doors, windows, and vents. Never operate one inside a home or garage. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. Follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions and use properly planned connection equipment.
Further guidance: Electrical Safety Foundation warning signs, water-damaged equipment guidance, U.S. Fire Administration, and CPSC generator safety.
For a service issue without immediate danger, call Guardian to discuss availability. Submitting a request does not arrange emergency response.