What to do if you smell burning from your electrics
A burning smell from any part of your electrical system is never normal. Whether it’s coming from a socket, appliance, light fitting, or your fuse box, it can be a sign of overheating, damaged wiring, or a serious electrical fault.
Step-by-step:
Turn off the power immediately at your consumer unit (fuse box).
Unplug or isolate the affected item, circuit, or area.
Do not turn it back on until a qualified electrician has inspected it.
Do not:
Do not keep using the item or circuit to “test” it.
Do not spray water or cleaning products near it.
Do not attempt your own repairs unless you are qualified.
Possible causes:
Loose or damaged wiring connections.
Overloaded sockets or circuits.
Faulty or damaged appliances.
Heat build-up from high-power devices like heaters or tumble dryers.
Damaged insulation or melted components.
When to call an electrician:
Immediately — even if the smell stops after switching off.
If you see scorch marks, melted parts, sparks, or hear crackling sounds.
Safety tip:
Trust your senses. If you smell burning and can’t find the cause quickly, switch off the power and call a professional without delay.
Power in Numbers
20,000+
Electrical fires in UK homes every year
(Source: Electrical Safety First)
48%
of accidental house fires are caused by electricity
(Source: UK Home Office)
12
Seconds it can take for an electrical fire to spread once started
Examples
See some of our fire damaged finds!
