What to Do If Your Appliance Breaks Down in an Emergencyماذا تفعل عند تعطل جهاز بشكل طارئ؟

Appliance emergencies are stressful, but most of them come down to the same handful of situations. Here's what to do for each, before help arrives.

Washing Machine Leaking Water

Switch the machine off and unplug it. If you can safely reach the water inlet valve behind it, turn it off to stop more water entering. Mop up standing water to avoid slipping and to protect flooring, then avoid using the machine again until it's been inspected.

Burning Smell or Sparking

Switch the appliance off and unplug it immediately if it's safe to do so. If the area around it is wet, or you're not comfortable reaching the plug, switch off the relevant breaker at the distribution board instead. Don't use the appliance again until a technician has checked it — a burning smell is almost always an electrical warning sign, not something to ignore.

Fridge or Freezer Stopped Cooling

Keep the door closed as much as possible — every time it opens, cold air escapes and food warms faster. An unopened fridge usually stays cold for a few hours; a fully stocked freezer holds its temperature considerably longer than a half-empty one. Call a technician as soon as you notice the fault rather than waiting to see if it resolves itself.

Appliance Won't Switch Off

Unplug it at the wall if you can do so safely. If unplugging isn't possible or doesn't stop it, switch off the circuit at the distribution board.

When to Call Immediately vs. When It Can Wait

Leaks, burning smells, sparking, smoke, and stopped fridges/freezers are all same-day situations. A washing machine that's simply noisy, slow to drain, or showing a non-urgent error code can usually wait for a scheduled visit.

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