Conducting an Emergency Utility Shut Off
In an emergency, don’t simply rely on your home insurance in Orange, California. Learn what other steps you can take to protect your home and loved ones.
While having the right home insurance in Orange, California is a great wat to protect your home from a natural disaster, having an emergency action plan in place will also help you to secure your family and home. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) suggests that one of the first steps in your emergency plan should be shutting off our home’s utilities. Not sure how to shut off your home’s electricity, water, and natural gas? Then learn the processes today.
- Electricity
After a natural disaster, damaged electrical sockets or appliances can produce sparks. Should your home have a gas leak, then these rogue sparks could ignite a serious fire. That’s why it’s vital that you shut off your home’s electricity immediately following a natural disaster. Luckily, the shut off process is pretty simple. All you need to do is locate your home’s electrical circuit box. Once you find it, switch off all the individual circuit breakers and then switch off the main breaker at the top of the electrical panel. Once your electricity is off, make sure it stays off until you are sure that there aren’t any gas leaks in your home.
- Water
During a natural disaster, damaged pipes can lead to water contamination. To avoid this unsafe water from entering your home, you need to shut off your home’s water. To do so, you’ll need to find your main water shut-off valve. This valve should be located somewhere along your main water line. Once you find the valve, turn the handle or knob clockwise until you feel the valve close completely. Your water should remain turned off until your water supply is declared safe to drink.
- Natural Gas
A gas leak in your home can be damaging to your family’s health and can increase your home’s chance of fire. To avoid gas leaks in your home, you should switch off your natural gas supply after a natural disaster strikes. As every home has their own gas meter configuration, you’ll need to contact your local utility company to learn how to turn off your natural gas. Once you know the process, post the instruction near your gas meter so anyone can shut off your home’s gas in an emergency. Keep in mind that you can safely turn off your gas, but you will require the help of a certified professional to turn it back on again.
Use this information to help you secure your home and loved ones in the event of a natural disaster. Want another way to protect your belongings and the ones that you love? Then having the right home insurance in Orange, California can help. To find the right policies to fit your needs, contact the experts at Remland Insurance. Our team is ready to get you the coverage you need today.
