How to Turn Off Utilities
Utilities are something we don’t normally think about - until they aren’t working or there is a problem. Knowing how to turn your utilities off in the event of a disaster or any other hazardous situation is one of the most important safety tips to know! And it’s easy…
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Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
During some emergencies, it may be necessary to shut off utilities - for example, if you have a gas leak, or if a water pipe has burst. Knowing how to turn off these utilities could save your home from damage, and could even save lives! If you live in an apartment or condominium complex, ask your facilities manager to show you how to turn off your utilities or who to call in emergencies if you are not able to turn them off directly.
How to do this action:
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Read through this action to:
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Find your gas/electric/water meter and shut off locations
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Which tools are needed to turn utilities off
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How to turn your utilities off
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Make sure to also complete the main household actions - Find Risks & Resources, Make a Plan, Build Your Kit and Resilience for Homeowners or Renters to cover the basics of emergency preparedness.
1Step 1: Natural Gas & Propane
If you suspect a gas leak and it is safe to turn off the gas, or if during a disaster or other event authorities have advised you to turn the gas off - it is important to know how.
Safety Note: turning the gas back on requires a utility professional. Never try to turn the gas back on yourself. So when you are practicing preparing for a disaster, don’t actually turn the gas off. Just make sure you know where your meter is and what to do.
Action: Learn to turn off your gas:
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If you have utility gas service:
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Locate your gas meter. It is usually located outside of your house, near an outside wall or in a cabinet.
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Find the gas shut off valve. Look for the pipe going from your gas meter into the ground. There will be a valve parallel to the pipe, usually 6-8 inches from the ground.
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Use a 12-15” adjustable wrench or pliers to turn the knob a quarter turn counterclockwise (or clockwise). It is OFF if it is perpendicular to the pipe.
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Keep a wrench of this size in a bag duct-taped to the wall or ground next to the pipe (not directly attached to the meter, but close by), so you can work quickly if you need to turn off the gas.
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Open windows in your house to allow any gas inside to vent out, if it is safe to do so.
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If you have propane tank service:
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Go to your propane tank which is usually located outside your home.
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If your tank is underground, look for the tank dome:
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Open the tank cover or dome and look for the Shut off Valve. Turn it to the right, clockwise until it is completely turned off. See an example below:
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If you are unable to find your gas meter or propane tank and are unsure how to turn it off, contact your utility company to provide assistance.
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2Step 2: Electricity
If you smell burning or notice that electrical outlets are blackened or hot to the touch, see any other sign that there is an electrical problem, have a significant water leak, or are told by authorities to do so, turn off your electricity if it is safe to do so. You will want to leave it off until you can have an electrician or your utility company come to check and make sure it is safe to turn back on.
Safety Note: Don’t turn your electricity off if you feel it is not safe or if you must stand in water to do so, as there could be risk of electrocution. Leave the building immediately and call 911 or your utility company to ask for assistance.
Action: Learn to turn off your electricity
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Locate your main electrical service panel (or breaker box). It could be located in the basement, a utility room, or a regular room, closet or hallway. It is generally in a large grey steel box with a hinged door. Inside there are breakers that control power to certain parts of your house and then one larger breaker that shuts off all the power called the “service disconnect.” You may also have a subpanel which is a smaller panel controlling power to part of your home, but this is not the main shutoff. In an emergency, shut off power at the main electric panel.
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Switch off all the individual circuits first, then turn off the larger “service disconnect” (also called the “main”) circuit.
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If you are unable to find your electric service panel or are unsure how to turn it off, contact your utility company to provide assistance.
3Step 3: Water
Turning off the main water prevents contaminated water from entering the lines inside, or if there is a break or leak in a pipe in your home, it keeps your home from flooding. It is recommended to shut off your water after a disaster until you know that the incoming water supply is not contaminated and safe to drink.
Action: Learn to turn off your water
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If you have water utility service:
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Locate your water meter. If you live in a warm climate, it is probably either attached to an exterior wall of the house or in a compartment in the ground beside the house. If you live in a cold climate, the meter is probably inside your house, generally in the basement if the building has one.
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Look for valves attached to the water meter. If there are two, choose the one closest to the house and farthest from the street. If you don’t see a valve next to the meter, follow the pipe until you find a valve which could be outside or inside your house where the pipe enters.
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Turn the valve (knob or handle) clockwise until it's completely closed.
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Test to make sure the water is off by turning on a faucet in the house. Water should flow briefly, then stop. If it doesn’t stop after waiting a while, you might have turned off the wrong valve. Go back and look for another valve on your waterline.
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If you have a well:
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Look for your main water supply valve which is likely where the water pipes enter your home and next to the well pump, water pressure tank or water heater. Turn the valve clockwise until it is completely off, or if it is a ball and joint valve, turn it until it is perpendicular to the water pipe (it should start off parallel).
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Also consider turning off your well pump and water heater.
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If you are unable to find your water meter or water supply valve or are unsure how to turn it off, contact your utility company or repair professional to provide assistance.
4Step 4: Utility safety after a disaster
Action: Learn what to do for utility safety after a disaster:
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Gas: If your gas was turned off, wait for a professional to turn it back on. If your gas was left on, check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, leave the building immediately and call the fire department. If it is safe to turn it off, follow the instructions in Step #1 above.
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Tip: To check if there’s a gas leak near the meter or appliances, spray the fittings with a mixture of water and a little liquid dish soap. If it bubbles at the fittings, there’s a gas leak.
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Electricity:
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If your power was on during the disaster, check for signs of damage like downed power lines, sparks or check if you smell anything burning. If it is safe to do so, follow the instructions in Step #2 above to turn off the power. If it is not safe to turn off the power, leave the building immediately and call 911 or your utility company.
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If you turned your electricity off, and only if it seems safe to do so, turn the main power back on. Then turn the individual breakers back on. It is best to make sure appliances are turned off before you switch the power back on to protect them from a power surge. DO NOT turn the power back on if there has been flooding or if you must stand in water to do so.
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Water: Water sources can become contaminated during a disaster. Check with local authorities or listen for updates on the status of your water supply.
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If your water is reported as safe to use after the disaster, turn it back on if it was off and check for leaks. If you find a leak, turn the water back off until the leak is repaired.
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If your water is still on, but deemed unsafe to use, immediately turn it off if it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to do so, call your water company for assistance.
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If you have a well and have lost power, it is recommended that you run all faucets for a few minutes before consuming or using the water.
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