Short circuit

Okay kiddo, a short circuit happens when electricity tries to go through a path that's not supposed to be there. It's like trying to drive your toy car through a wall instead of on the road - it doesn't work and can cause a big mess.

In a house, the wires that carry electricity are supposed to be connected in a certain order so the electricity flows smoothly and safely. But sometimes, two wires accidentally touch each other or something metal that's not supposed to be there, like a paperclip or a fork.

When this happens, the electricity doesn't have anywhere to go and it can't flow through the wires like it should. Instead, it takes a shortcut and starts moving really fast through the path it found. This can cause a lot of heat and sparks, which can be dangerous and even start a fire.

So, if you see or hear something sizzling or sparking or smelling weird when you plug in something, you should tell a grown-up right away. They'll be able to make sure everything is safe and no one gets hurt.