Light switch breaking while in the "on" position?

Could this cause a problem if we wait overnight to fix it? A fire maybe?





The switch that controls our front porch light broke just a bit ago. The light is now stuck on and the switch has a very slight burnt smell to it.



My mother's idea was just to turn off the breaker and remove the light bulb. Not much help since we had to turn the breaker back on.







While I'm at it.... could anyone please link me to a good, well-detailed guide on changing a light switch? Preferably one with some decent pictures.
Light switch breaking while in the %26quot;on%26quot; position?
Turn the breaker off, take a flashlight and a screwdriver, remove the switch, and cap off the wires with wire nuts, then turn the breaker back on. To install a new switch, do it just the opposite of what you did when you took the old one out. Since this is a porch light it should have only 2 wires attached to it and a ground wire. This is a very easy repair but if you really need the help, call a qualified professional electrician to do the work.
Light switch breaking while in the %26quot;on%26quot; position?
http://www.ehow.com/how_2130383_replace-鈥?/a>
It sounds like the switch shorted out. That's why it smells burnt. I'd turn the breaker off until you can get it fixed. There shouldn't be a burnt smell if it's just a broken switch.
There will be 2 wires to the sides of the switch and 1 wire going to the framework of the switch if it is grounded. The ground wire will be bare. Turn off the breaker, remove the switch and tape up the ends of the wires %26quot;black and white%26quot; . Once the wires are taped up with electrical tape you may turn on the breaker again without any danger. Then tomorrow you can get a new switch. Turn off the breaker and put the wires back like they were on the old switch on the new one.. Hope this helps.
well, i don't have a detailed picture on my website this time but i can assist you how to replace it.First buy a switch and electrical tape in the local hardware store near you once you have it then get a screw driver take out the plate cover of that switch by taking out the 2 screw then there's another 2 screw 1 from top and 1 at the bottom this screw is the one holding the switch into the utility box in the wall before you remove that screw turn off the circuit breaker where that (wire hook up) hook up then onece the breaker off then start removing that screw out of the metal box(utility box in the wall) using the screw driver after that start pulling out the broken switch from that wall and now you will notice 2 or more wires hookup on that old broken switch remove that one at a time then transfer into the new switch you bought follow the old switch connection how it goes like for example you take out a red insulated wire from the bottom screw of the old switch then this red wire will be hook up also in bottom screw of the new switch you bought most switch they use color coded screw the other screw is black then the other is light brass the black screw is for the hot wire means that's for the red or black insulator wire and the light brass color screw is for the neutral means thats for white color insulator wire check this color i mentioned if it is the same as what you have if you notice the wire in the broken old switch is black and red then just simply follow the old connection hook up the black wire into the black screw and red into the light brass color screw but if the screw was all light brass color then just simply tap the wire one at a time make it sure the wire was totally secure by that screw means not lose because if it is lose thenthis will create a spark or fire once the body of switch was move then wrap arround an elelectrical tape those bare wire and the screw that holds the wire on that switch then put it back to the wall and put back the cover then turn on the breaker. your done congratulation......

here's my website http://www.jra813handyman.webs.com if incase you want to check it out and explore just simply click one by one those picture or click the words photo gallery.enjoy....
If all you have drawing on that switch is a light bulb then remove it and you will have no current flow no smell in the switch and thus no danger