As a homeowner, it can be overwhelming to think about how to keep your family and home safe in the event of an emergency like fire or flooding. But there are three main shutoffs that you should familiarize yourself with now so that you’ll know what to do if ever faced with such a situation. Learning where these key safety switch-offs are located and how they’re used could mean the difference between significant property damage or minor repairs – not to mention potentially saving lives!
Read on for essential information about home safety and protection, including the necessary steps for shutting off the main electrical power source, water valve, and gas service in your home.
Power, Water & Gas
Know where the shutoffs are ahead of time.
The first step to ensuring your home is safe and secure in case of an emergency is to locate the three main shutoff points: the main power switch (breaker), water main valve, and gas valve. Knowing where these are located ahead of time can help you respond quickly if an emergency arises.
Shutting off the power
Shutting off the power to the entire home is fairly straight forward.
- Locate the main power panel
- Open the front cover (if it has one)
- Look for the large double breaker (main Breaker), usually at the top or bottom. It may also be one extra large switch or handle
- Push it to the off position
- If there is no large double breaker turn off all the breakers
This should turn off the power to the entire home.
Shutting off the water:
It’s important to know how to turn off the water in your home in case of an emergency. The main water valve should be located near where the water line comes into the home. Often near the water heater or washing machine and typically have a silver or brass round handle.
There are typically two types of water valves: the ball valve and the gate valve. The ball valve is the most common type, and it’s easy to operate. You simply twist the handle to turn it on or off. The gate valve is a little more complicated to use, but it’s more reliable than the ball valve.
If you’re not sure how to turn off your water valve, consult your homeowners’ manual or call a plumber for assistance. It’s important to know how to turn off the water in case of an emergency.
To shut off the water,
- For a ball valve turn the handle clockwise until it’s fully tightened.
- For a gate valve turn it so the handle is opposite the water line. It will look like the letter T when off.
If there’s a water emergency in your home, knowing how to turn off the water can help minimize the damage.
Shutting off the gas
If there’s a gas emergency in your home, it’s important to know how to turn off the gas line. The main gas valve shutoff should be located either outside, at the gas meter, or inside, at the gas meter.
Gas emergencies can include anything from a gas leak to an uncontrolled fire. If you smell gas, hear hissing or crackling noises, or see flames, you should evacuate your home and call 911.
In a non-emergency situation you can use the following steps to turn off the gas:
1. Locate the main gas valve
2. Turn the knob clockwise until it’s fully tightened.
3. Call a qualified technician to fix the problem.
It’s important to remember that turning off the gas does not extinguish a fire – you should always leave that to the professionals. But if you’re able to safely do so, shutting off the gas can help prevent an uncontrolled fire from spreading and doing more damage.
label the three Main shutoffs
When it comes to emergencies, you want to be prepared. That means having a plan in place for when the power goes out, the gas runs out, or the water stops flowing. Shutting off the power, gas, and water is an important part of any emergency plan, and it’s something everyone should know how to do.
Label all three shutoffs so they are easy to identify in case of an emergency.
show family where the three main shutoffs are
The power, gas, and water shutoffs are all located in different areas of the house. It’s important to know where these shutoffs are located in case there is ever a need to turn them off. For example, if there is an electrical problem, you would want to know where to find the electrical main shutoff so you can turn it off quickly. Or if there is a water leak, you would want to know where to find the water shutoff so you can stop the leak.
Summary
In the event of an emergency, it’s important to know how to shut off the power, water, and gas, in your home. Know where the shutoffs are located. Label the shutoffs for easy access.
Educate family members so they also know where the shutoffs are located. If you smell gas, hear hissing or crackling noises, or see flames, you should evacuate your home and call 911.
Stay safe everyone!
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