Marvin Sordell hit a terrific hattrick for the Addicks[GETTY]Sordell, on loan from Bolton, doubled his tally of league goals for the season after Atdhe Nuhiu and Chris Maguire had put Wednesday in command inside eight minutes.
"I have talked to Marvin a lot of times because I was aware of what he's done in the past and we were asking him 'why not now?," said Charlton manager Jose Riga. "It helps us when your striker can make a big difference for the team.
"It's a big step. We are still above the relegation, but we have to finish the work.
"We have a lot of players from the academy and we have had a very busy schedule but they have done well.
"It's more in the head. Mentally, we were very strong. Playing every three days or so is not easy but, from day one, I told the players I trust them. The quality of the players and the team spirit has been important for us."
It was a terrible start for the visitors, who began the day one day above the relegation zone but Stuart Gray's men are far from convincing at the back and they have now conceded 17 in their last six matches.
The first goal game when Miguel Llera's clearance found its way to Nuhiu and the Austrian drilled home a low volley from an acute angle for his fourth goal in three games.
Jose Riga was pleased with his side's performance [GETTY]It's a big step. We are still above the relegation, but we have to finish the work
Nuhiu then turned provider, barging his way down the right channel before releasing a low pass for strike partner Maguire.
Maguire slipped as he received the pass but bounced back up to fire the ball into the corner from 12 yards.
Charlton had barely touched the ball but 90 seconds later, they were back in the match. Callum Harriott's pass relased Sordell and he showed good strength to hold off Jeremy Helan and fire the ball across Chris Kirkland and into the corner.
Nuhiu and Kieran Lee both missed chances to make it 3-1 before Harriott and Sordell combined again two minutes before the break to level for the Addicks.
Wednesday were by no means as sharp at the start of second half and Sordell saw a shot blocked by Kirkland after Oguchi Onyewu failed to deal with a long ball.
Sordell then sealed his hat-trick in the 63rd minute when Nuhiu's stray pass split his own defence and the Charlton striker applied a confident finish.
Wednesday manager Gray said: "We knew after the last game we were safe and I said to the players I don't want people accusing us that we've got our flip-flops on and we're on the beach.
"We flew out of the traps but I'm so disappointed because we complicated it with poor passing and decision-making and that gave Charlton a lift."
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