When Your Home Smells Like Fish — And It’s Not Dinner Cooking

The Fishy Smell That Saved Their Home: Why You Should Never Ignore Electrical Warnings

It started on a Sunday night.

Mary had just finished cleaning up the kitchen after dinner when she caught it—a strange, sour smell floating through the hallway. It wasn’t strong at first, just a faint, fishy odor she couldn’t place. Maybe it was the garbage? Maybe something in the fridge?

She shrugged it off, lit a candle, and went about her night.

But the next morning, the smell was stronger. And now, the lights in the guest room flickered when she turned them on. The outlets along one wall felt unusually warm. A small part of her wanted to ignore it, blame it on an old house or leftover cooking smells.
But something deep down—something maternal and protective—told her otherwise.

She called an electrician.
Just in case.

When he arrived, it didn’t take him long.
A loose connection behind one outlet had overheated and started to melt the plastic insulation inside the wall. The fishy smell? That was burning plastic. If Mary had waited another day, or even just another hour with a space heater running nearby, it could have ignited into a full electrical fire.

The electrician told her the truth plainly:
"You caught this just in time. A lot of people smell that fishy odor and think it's nothing. They don't realize it's a warning."

Feeling rattled but grateful, Mary took one more smart step.
She called her insurance agent to check her policy.

She wanted to be sure: if something had happened, would her coverage have protected her?
Would a fire loss caused by electrical failure be handled?
Were there any gaps she needed to close before another scare?

Thankfully, her agent guided her through it—pointing out what was covered, what wasn’t, and how small adjustments could make a big difference.

Here’s what Mary’s story teaches us:

A lingering fishy smell in your home can be more than just a nuisance—it can be an early warning sign of serious electrical trouble.
Several electricians have confirmed that overheating electrical components, especially aging wires or overloaded circuits, can give off a distinct fishy or burning plastic odor. When the plastic insulation melts, it releases chemical fumes that carry that strange scent.

However, while this is a common sign reported by professionals, it’s important to remember: it’s not 100% proof every time. Other sources can cause similar smells.
Still, when it comes to electrical safety, assuming "it's nothing" can be a life-changing mistake.

If you notice a fishy smell—or experience flickering lights, warm outlets, tripped breakers, or any odd burnt odors—don't wait and hope. Act.

1. Call a licensed electrician immediately to inspect and repair the issue safely.

2. Contact your insurance agent to review your homeowner’s policy and make sure you're properly covered in case of fire, electrical damage, or related losses.

3. If you don’t have an agent you trust, don't gamble with your future—reach out to Curtis at CurtisNsurance.

Curtis isn’t just selling policies—he’s protecting what you’ve worked so hard to build.
Real service. Real protection. Real peace of mind.

The Bottom Line:
Mary trusted her instincts—and she saved her home, maybe even her life.
It wasn’t luck.
It was action.
It was awareness.
And it was smart enough to not stop at fixing the symptom—she made sure her future was protected too.

The next time you smell something strange you can’t explain, don’t just cover it up.
Take action.
Find the real cause.
And make sure you have the right insurance in place before you ever need it.

CurtisNsurance: Protection starts before the disaster.
Let’s get you covered—properly.