Immediate action guide
Computer & Electronics Repair Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a computer & electronics repair arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
Laptop Battery Swelling
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the laptop, charger, desk, and nearby combustibles.
- Unplug the device from the wall if safe and stop using it immediately.
- Move combustibles away and place the device on a nonflammable surface only if it can be moved safely.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a tech repair provider for battery handling and disposal instructions.
Do not do this
- - Do not puncture, press, charge, freeze, or mail a swollen battery.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E2
Device Sparking
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the device, charger, outlet, power strip, and desk surface.
- Cut power at the power strip or breaker if unplugging would put your hand near sparks.
- Keep papers and fabric away and watch for smoke from a safe distance.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call tech repair for the device and an electrician if the outlet or circuit was involved.
Do not do this
- - Do not test the problem repeatedly to see if it still happens.
- - Do not spray water on energized electronics.
E3
Router or Modem Burning Smell
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the router, modem, power adapter, outlet, and cable bundle.
- Unplug power from the wall if safe, not from a hot adapter body.
- Separate cables after power is off and keep the equipment on a hard surface.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call tech repair or your internet provider; call an electrician if the outlet is hot or discolored.
Do not do this
- - Do not keep networking equipment running with a hot adapter or scorched cord.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E4
Water on Electronics
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the wet device, charger, outlet, desk, and floor.
- Turn off power at the breaker or power strip if cords or outlets are wet.
- Move dry items away and leave the wet device powered off.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call tech repair after the electrical hazard is controlled; describe the liquid and timing.
Do not do this
- - Do not plug in, rice-pack, heat, or shake wet electronics to test them.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E5
Home Security System Down
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the alarm panel, cameras, router, sensors, and entry doors.
- Check only the app status, panel display, and obvious power connection.
- Lock doors manually, keep exterior lights on, and document any outage messages.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call the monitoring company or tech repair; use 911 only for an active break-in or immediate threat.
Do not do this
- - Do not post publicly that your security system is offline.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.