Know Your Home Shutoffs Before Disaster Strikes
Every second counts when a pipe bursts or you smell gas. You need to know where your main shutoff valves are right now. Do not wait for an emergency to start looking. Walk around your house today and find your main water valve, gas meter, and electrical panel. Show everyone in your family where they are.
If you recently moved in, locating these valves is one of the most important steps in our New Homeowner Guide. Finding them in the daylight is easy. Hunting for them in the dark while water floods your basement is a nightmare.
How to Handle a Major Water Leak
Water destroys homes fast. If a pipe bursts or a toilet overflows and will not stop, you need to cut the water immediately. First, try the local valve. Look under the sink or behind the toilet. Turn the small oval knob clockwise to stop the flow.
If that fails, or if water is pouring through the ceiling, go straight to the main water shutoff. You usually find this in the basement, in the garage, or outside near the street. If it has a straight handle, turn it perpendicular to the pipe. If it is a round wheel, turn it clockwise until it stops. You can learn more about finding and maintaining these valves in our Plumbing section.
What to Do If You Smell Gas
Natural gas smells like rotten eggs. If you notice this smell, do not mess around. A simple spark can cause an explosion. Do not flip any light switches. Do not use your phone inside the house. Do not unplug anything from the wall.
Get everyone outside immediately. Leave the doors open to let the gas vent out of the house. Once you are safely across the street, call 911 or your local gas company. If you frequently notice weird scents in your house that are not gas, check our guide to Smells & Odors to track them down.
If you know how and you have a wrench handy, you can shut off the gas at the meter outside. Use the wrench to turn the rectangular valve a quarter turn so it sits crosswise to the pipe. Never turn the gas back on yourself. The gas company must do that.
Power Outages and Electrical Emergencies
If your power goes out, look outside to see if your neighbors have lights. If the whole street is dark, call the power company. If only your house is dark, check your main electrical panel.
Sometimes a breaker trips because a circuit is overloaded. Open the panel and look for a switch that sits in the middle. Push it all the way to "off" and then snap it back to "on".
If you see sparks, smell burning plastic, or feel a hot outlet, you have a serious electrical emergency. Go to the breaker box and flip the main breaker at the top to "off". Call a licensed electrician right away. Read more about keeping your wiring safe in our Electrical guide.
Small Fires and When to Evacuate
You can put out a small grease fire in a frying pan by sliding a metal lid over it to smother the flames. Never throw water on a grease fire. Water makes the burning oil explode and spread across the kitchen.
Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and on every floor. Use the PASS method. Pull the pin. Aim low at the base of the fire. Squeeze the handle. Sweep from side to side.
If a fire spreads beyond a small area, or the room fills with smoke, drop everything and get out. Call 911 from outside. Houses burn incredibly fast. Do not stay inside to save your belongings. You can review more home safety protocols in our Environmental Hazards section.
Emergency Plumber and Electrician Costs
Calling a pro after hours costs extra. Plumbers and electricians charge emergency dispatch fees on top of their hourly rates. These ranges vary widely by region, the scope of the fix, and the age of your home.
| Service Type | Standard Dispatch Fee | After Hours Emergency Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $75 to $150 | $150 to $350 |
| Electrician | $80 to $120 | $200 to $400 |
| HVAC Tech | $90 to $150 | $200 to $300 |
The chart below shows rough total cost estimates for common emergency repairs, including parts and labor.
Building Your Home Emergency Kit
You need supplies ready before the power goes out or a storm hits. A good kit keeps your family safe and comfortable for a few days without outside help.
Store these items in a plastic bin near the front door or in a hall closet:
- Flashlights and extra batteries.
- A battery powered weather radio.
- A basic first aid kit with bandages and antiseptic.
- Bottled water, aiming for one gallon per person per day.
- A crescent wrench to shut off the gas meter.