Move away and call from a safe place
- Back away by the same dry route you used to enter, and keep other people and pets out.
- Call 911 for fire, smoke, sparking, a person who may have received a shock, or any immediate threat. CDC says to call 911 or emergency medical help for suspected electric shock and to look first without touching because the person may still contact the electrical source. [1]
- Tell the electrician or emergency responder that water is present and name the device involved: outlet, light, switch, appliance, panel, or visible wiring.
- Tell the plumber where the water appears and whether any water valve can be reached from a separate, completely dry location.
Water and electricity must be handled separately
Water source
Electrical source
A plumbing valve in a separate, dry area may stop new water.
Only someone working from a confirmed safe place should turn off a wet circuit or panel.
Closing the water does not make an outlet, appliance, or metal surface safe to touch.
Turning off electricity does not repair the broken pipe or remove water inside the wall.
A plumber can repair the leak after the area is safe to enter.
An electrician checks wet electrical parts before power is restored.
What to report from a safe distance
- The room and the electrical device nearest the water.
- Whether you saw sparks, smoke, flickering, an arc, or a tripped breaker before leaving.
- Whether water is spraying, streaming, dripping, or no longer moving.
- Whether the plumbing main can be reached without entering the affected room.
- Do not return for a photo, model number, or closer look.
- Tell responders if anyone touched the water or felt tingling, shock, heat, or a burn before leaving the area.
Even after a plumbing valve stops new water, do not touch the outlet, panel, switch, appliance, or nearby metal. Water can remain inside a cover or wall, and no visible sparks does not mean the power is off. CDC says wet electrical equipment should be inspected before it returns to service. [1]
If the leak is inside the unsafe area, the plumber must wait until an electrician or emergency responder says it is safe to enter. The plumbing repair can then begin without turning on wet equipment or bringing electrical tools into the wet area.
Before the room returns to use
- The plumbing source has been repaired and checked for leaks.
- Wet electrical equipment has been checked, and any needed repair or replacement is complete.
- Standing water and wet materials have been removed after the area was made safe.
- Occupants know which devices or circuits must remain off during drying or restoration.
- Any damaged covers, labels, barriers, or access panels are fully restored so occupants cannot contact equipment during the remaining work or later cleanup.