Step  3: Teach Your Family How To Shut Off The Utilities

 

There are three main utilities that everyone should know how to turn off. In case of a natural disaster you should be able to shut off the water, electricity, and natural gas.

 

You’ll absolutely want to keep your water supply clean after a disaster, so it’s important that you shut off the water until you know it’s safe to drink. If a water line leading into your house cracks, then the water in your faucet, shower, and sink can be contaminated.

 

To avoid drinking polluted water you should locate the shutoff value that enters your house, and close the valve completely. Label it and show the rest of your family where it’s located so that anyone in the house can turn off the water if necessary.

 

The second utility you’ll want to turn off in a disaster is the electricity. Make sure that everyone knows how to switch off the electricity, being sure to turn off the individual electrical circuits before flipping the main switch. If a gas leak occurs, having your electricity turned off will reduce the chance of a natural gas fire.

 

The third utility everyone needs to know how to turn off is the natural gas. If you aren’t sure how to shut off your gas, contact your gas company and have them teach you the procedure. Make sure you have the necessary tools to turn off your natural gas, and that everyone in your household knows exactly how to shut off the gas meter. Once you have turned off your gas, only a professional should turn it back on when it’s safe to do so.