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In many disasters, it’s necessary to shut off your utilities to avoid further damage to your home. This is something everyone should know how to do but many have never taken the time to learn.
Don’t be one of those clueless people — your quick action to shut off your utilities in an emergency could even save lives.
We’re going to walk you through how to shut off your gas, water, and electricity. You’ll need a large crescent wrench or an inexpensive emergency shut-off tool. Get one now so you’ll be prepared when you need it.
How to Shut Off Your Gas
Your gas line can get damaged during a disaster, especially an earthquake. This can cause gas leaks that lead to fires and explosions. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to shut off your gas.
Only turn off your gas if you feel you can do so safely, and never perform any activity around your gas meter that can cause a spark. This includes starting your car.
Please Note: Do not turn your gas all the way off if you’re just practicing. If you do, the gas company will have to come out to turn it back on and you’ll have to pay a fee.
When to Shut Off Your Gas:
- You suspect damage to your gas line.
- You smell natural gas.
- You can hear gas leaking — it might sound like hissing or roaring.
- There is a fire close to your home.
- You’ve been instructed to turn it off by the authorities.
To turn off your gas, locate your gas meter. It is typically on the side of your home. The gas shutoff valve is located on the inlet pipe next to your meter. Use a wrench to turn the valve so that it runs perpendicular to the pipe.
If you need to shut off your gas when it is dark outside, use a battery-powered flashlight. Never use lighters, matches, or an open flame for light around your gas meter.
How to Shut Off Your Water
During a disaster, pipes can break and cause floods. Your water supply can also become contaminated. That’s why you often hear of water boil advisories after a disaster. Depending on your situation, you may need to shut off the water to your home.
When to Shut Off Your Water:
- You suspect water contamination — a funny taste, smell, or color.
- You find broken pipes in or around your home.
- Your water does not turn on.
- You’ve been instructed to turn it off by the authorities.
To turn off your water, locate your main water shutoff valve. It is typically in a box in the ground in your front yard near the street — look for a round or rectangular cover in your grass or parking strip. Some homes also have a water shutoff valve in their basement or going to their water heater.
Once you locate the water main, remove the cover. You should see a meter and pipes going towards your home. The shutoff valve is on the pipe. Reach down with a wrench or water key and turn it clockwise until it will not turn anymore.
If the pipe is deep, you may need to use a water key with an extra-long handle. That’s why it’s a good idea to practice turning off your water before an emergency happens.
When you go to turn your water back on, turn the valve slowly to avoid sudden water pressure that can damage your pipes. You’ll also want to turn your faucets on slowly for the first time to allow the air in the lines to come out.
How to Shut Off Your Electricity
If your home’s wiring has encountered damage, such as from an earthquake, it’s a good idea to turn off power to your home. Sparks from electricity can cause fires, especially if you have a gas leak.
When to Shut Off Your Electricity:
- You suspect damage to your home’s wiring.
- You smell natural gas.
- You want to repair damage to a certain area of your home.
- You’ve been instructed to turn it off by the authorities.
No special tools are required to turn off your electricity, but you should use extreme caution not to touch any electrical wires or sockets.
To turn off electricity to your home, find your breaker box. It’s typically located in your garage, mudroom, laundry room, or hallway. It’s the panel you’d normally go to if you trip a circuit by running too much electricity in a certain area of your home. Once you’ve found your breaker box, shut off the main circuit breaker. It’s typically a larger switch at the top of your panel.
If you have an older breaker box, you will probably have to shut off your power from the electrical service panel on the outside of your home. Some homes have a shut-off switch both inside and outside. Lift the door under the meter and switch the main switch to the off position.
If your home has a fuse box instead of a breaker box, you turn off your electricity by unscrewing the master fuses or pulling out the master block.
Knowing how to turn off your utilities is important information for all homeowners. Please share this post with your friends, especially those who have recently bought a home. Be ready to help your neighbors turn off their utilities in an emergency, too
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