August 20, 2009
Disaster tip of the month: Do you know how to shut off your home’s gas, water and electricity?
Editor’s note: The Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department is offering a tip a month to help people get prepared for a disaster. University Week will carry these monthly tips.
The August tip has to do with utility safety. Essentially, the state emergency department advises that everyone in a household know how to shut off natural gas, water and electricity.
Natural gas leaks and explosions are responsible for a significant number of fires following any major earthquake. You should shut off the gas only if you smell the characteristic odor of gas, you hear a hissing sound and/or you notice the meter dials spinning more rapidly than normal. Locate the shutoff valve and use a 12-inch crescent wrench to turn the valve 90 degrees so that it crosses the pipe. Keep a wrench near the meter for this purpose.
Water becomes a precious resource after a disaster. You should shut off your water until you hear from the authorities that it is safe to drink. To be prepared, locate the shut-off valve for the water line that enters your house and label it with a tag, then make sure all household members know where it is.
Electrical sparks have the potential of igniting natural gas if it is leaking. Locate your electricity circuit box and teach all responsible household members how to shut off the electricity for the entire house.
Click here to download a PDF with this information.
Click here to go to the UW’s Emergency Management Web site.
