Disasters such as fires, flooding, earthquakes, or even power outages can occur without warning. When faced with a disaster, it is important to close off utilities in your home to prevent additional damage. Learn how to shut off natural gas, electricity, and water supplies in your house before a disaster occurs, and teach your family the best way to do this as well:
Natural Gas
- Gas shut-off procedures differ from home to home. Contact your regional gas company for information on the most effective way to shut off the gas supply to your house based on your home’s gas meter configuration.
- Once you learn the gasoline shut-off procedure, practice it with the whole family, but make certain that you do not actually turn off the gas after practicing.
- If you smell gas near a gas pipe or gas-fueled appliance, or when the CO detector goes off, open a window instantly and get everybody out of the home as quickly as possible. Turn off the gas source and call the gas company shortly after.
- As soon as you switch off the gas, never try to flip it back on your own. Only a qualified professional must turn your gas supply back on. Visit this link to learn more.
Electricity
- After a disaster or whenever you notice electric damage in your house, turn off electricity immediately to prevent fires and electrical shocks.
- First, find the main circuit box that is usually mounted onto a wall. In most houses, the circuit box can be found in the basement, so make certain that you bring a flashlight.
- Inside the panel, you will notice numerous switches, including the main switch that shuts off all power in your property.
- For safety purposes, always shut off individual buttons prior to shutting off the main switch.
Water
- Following a catastrophe, your water supply may get contaminated because of lines that are cracked, so it’s important to shut it off until authorities say it’s safe to turn the water back on.
- Locate the shut-off valve for the primary water of your house, which may be found in one of these places:
- onto a wall near the front of the home
- near the water heater
- from the garage
- buried in the ground outside, close to the street, at a covered box
- Label the closed valve so you can easily find it later on.
- Be sure that the valve completely closes once you turn it off. If the valve doesn’t fully close, it may be rusted or damaged. In cases like this, have it replaced by a qualified technician.
After a disaster, it’s vital to act quickly to prevent additional damage to your home. Learn more about the effects of not acting quickly after a disaster here. For professional fire, water, and mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean Huntington Park office.
