Disasters come in many forms, from hurricanes and wildfires to flooding pipes. But having a plan for emergencies can help reduce damages to your home. Knowing how to shut off your utilities Safely before the disaster occurs should be a part of your family’s emergency planning. Here are some tips for turning off the utilities in the event of an emergency:
Natural gas
Natural gas fires are one of the most common problems following a natural disaster. Although every house is configured differently, you can usually turn the shutoff valve with a wrench. If you aren’t sure how to turn off your meter, contact your gas company for directions and then post them by the meter.
Water shut off
Locate where the water pipe from the street or your well comes into the house. This is usually where your meter is located where you’ll also find the main shutoff valve. Turning off the flow of water to your house can be a critical step for protecting water quality helping to prevent burst pipes and any subsequent flooding.
Flow of electricity
Shutting off the flow of electricity is important during or immediately following a natural disaster (or severe storm) for the sake of preventing a fire, especially if the event is coupled by a natural gas or oil leak. Same goes in the event of heavy rains or a flood; after all, the last thing you want is water encountering electricity. Don’t know how to safely shut down your electricity supply? Contact your local electricity provider or electrician for instructions.
Home heating oil
If your home has oil heating it also has an emergency shut off switch, usually located at the top of the basement staircase. The outlet cover is red to differentiate it from a light switch. If the flow of oil were to cross paths with a fire-y flame, not shutting off the oil would literally be adding fuel to the fire.
Remember: knowing how to shut off your utilities is more about preventing problems should the need arise, and about being safe vs. sorry. Norhio Plumbing is always here to assist you in that regard, so please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.
