Why tape isn't a fix
Electrical tape over a crack keeps nothing out for long, and it suggests to the next person that the outlet still works. Plugs pushed into a cracked outlet can lever the pieces apart and move the terminals behind. A crack across the face can also mean the outlet took a hard knock from a vacuum cleaner, a door or furniture, and may be loose on the wall.
Scorching, melting or brown marks around the crack are a different warning. They point to heat from a loose connection or overload, and that outlet should be switched off at the switchboard, not just at its own switch.
What to do until it's replaced
Switch the outlet off and unplug anything in it, but only if you can do that without touching the damaged part. If the switchboard is labelled and safe to reach, turn that circuit off, keeping in mind it may also run other outlets or the fridge. Put a clear note or cover over the outlet so nobody uses it, and keep children and pets away from it.
Why replacement needs a licensed electrician
Replacing a power point means working on terminals connected to the mains. Energy Safe Victoria says electrical work isn't a DIY job, even small jobs such as changing power points. An electrician will also check the cable and connections behind the plate, which is often where the real damage is, and you get a Certificate of Electrical Safety for the work.
What you can safely do now
- Stop using the outlet, and unplug appliances only if you can do it without touching the cracked part.
- Turn the circuit off at the switchboard if it is labelled and safe to reach.
- Cover the outlet and add a note so nobody plugs into it.
- Keep children and pets away from it until it's replaced.
Services that can help
Read more in our guides
Related questions
- Why do plugs keep falling out of my power point?Plugs drop out when the contacts inside the outlet have lost their grip, or when the outlet itself has come loose from the wall.
- Why is my power point warm?A plug that feels slightly warm after a heater or kettle has run for a while can be normal.
- Can a power point be added to my kitchen island?Usually, yes.
- Do power point covers protect children?They help a little, but they're not the main protection.
Sources for this answer
3 sources, with the date each was checked
- 1.Energy Safe Victoria: Do not touch or attempt to repair a loose, cracked or broken power point switch – cover it immediately and arrange for a licensed electrician to replace it. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- 2.Energy Safe Victoria: Electrical work isn’t a DIY job, even for small jobs such as changing power points or light switches. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- 3.Energy Safe Victoria: Whenever a licensed electrician completes any electrical installation work, they must provide a Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES). Accessed 30 September 2026.
General information for homes in Victoria. Every installation is different, so treat this as a starting point. Where this answer refers to Victorian safety or rental rules, the sources above have the current requirements.