Water near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel

Gas smell, sparking, or anyone hurt: leave and call 911.

What to do, and what never to touch, when water is near anything electrical in your home.

Before you start

Water and electricity together can kill.
If you see sparks or smoke, smell burning, hear buzzing, or anyone is hurt, leave now and call 911.
If someone is in the water and may be getting shocked, do not touch them or the water. Call 911.

Stop. Do not step into water that is touching or near outlets, cords, appliances, baseboard heaters or the electrical panel.
Do not touch anything electrical while you are wet or standing on a wet floor.
Never touch an electrical panel that is wet or that you would have to stand in water to reach. Do not try to shut off the power there.
Leave the area by a dry path. Keep children and pets out.
From a safe place, call your electric utility and ask them to shut off power to the home.
Stay out until the utility, a first responder or an electrician says it is safe.

Keep the power off until a licensed electrician has checked the wiring, panel and any appliance that got wet.
Do not plug in or turn on anything that was wet, even after it dries.
Take photos only from a dry, safe place. Write down the time and call your insurance carrier using its own number.

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Script version 95e3835ceb0a · approved 2026-10-22