Some of the reasons this is happening are:

• Miswiring – If the wiring is not installed properly electricity can continue to run through the circuit even if it is switched off.  Faulty wiring can result in electric shock and fires.  Other signs can be devices and outlets not working properly or no longer working at all.  If someone is getting shocked when turning on or off a light switch, this is also a serious problem.  Also look for:
• Too many extensioncords
• Dimming lights
• Flickering lights
• Strange smells
• Shocks
• Sparks
• Hot outlets or switch plates.

If you are experiencing any of these things, contact a licensed, qualified electrician to check your home wiring. 

• Electrical Load – If a circuit becomes overloaded, the breaker will trip or a fuse will break.  That means you are asking your electrical circuit to produce more power than it can, and the safety mechanism takes over to prevent overheating and fires.  Most appliances use less than 15 to 20 amps, but high usage appliances need 20 to 30 amps.  If you are running one or more of those high usage appliances, you need to have a dedicated circuit for it.  You need to have an electrician investigate and upgrade your breaker box.

Tripped Breaker – If your breaker is automatically shutting off, that means you are asking it to provide more power than it is allowed to.  An upgrade is in order.