Knowing Your Utility Shutoffs

Colorful fire hydrant with blue body, red fittings, and yellow stand against a beige and off-white wall.

Step 6: Knowing Your Utility Shutoffs

What You Need to Know

In earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or even major home accidents, you may need to shut off gas, water, or electricity quickly. Knowing where these shutoffs are and how to use them is essential knowledge for every household.

Gas Shutoff

Why it matters: Gas leaks after earthquakes or accidents can cause explosions and fires.

Where it is: Look for your gas meter (usually outside, on the side of your house). The shutoff valve is on the pipe leading into the meter.

What you need: An adjustable wrench or specific gas shutoff wrench (keep it near the meter)

How to shut it off:

  • Turn the valve a quarter turn until it's perpendicular to the pipe

  • You'll feel resistance—use firm pressure

  • Once off, DO NOT turn it back on yourself—only the gas company should do this

CRITICAL: When to shut off gas:

  • You smell natural gas (rotten egg smell)

  • You hear a hissing sound near gas lines

  • After a significant earthquake in your area

  • Local authorities tell you to

When NOT to shut off gas:

  • "Just in case" or as a precautionary measure

  • After every small earthquake

Take a photo of your gas shutoff valve location and save it in your phone.

Water Shutoff

Why it matters: Broken pipes can flood your home and cause extensive damage.

Where it is:

  • Main shutoff: Usually in the basement, crawl space, or outside near the water meter

  • Individual fixtures: Each toilet, sink, and appliance usually has its own shutoff valve

How to shut it off:

  • Gate valve (wheel-like handle): Turn clockwise until it stops

  • Ball valve(lever handle): Turn 90 degrees

When to shut off water:

  • Broken or burst pipe

  • Major leak

  • Flooding in your home

  • Evacuation for extended period

Test your main water shutoff once a year to make sure it's not stuck or corroded.

Electrical Shutoff

Why it matters: In situations like a flood or damaged wiring, knowing the main shutoff prevents electrocution or fire.

Where it is: Your main electrical panel (breaker box or fuse box), typically in basement, garage, utility room, or outside

How to shut it off:

  • Circuit breaker panel: Flip the main breaker (largest switch, usually at the top) to OFF

  • Fuse box: Pull out the main fuse block

When to shut off electricity:

  • Standing water in your home (flood risk)

  • Electrical fire smell or sparks

  • Severe storm approaching

  • Major home damage where wires might be exposed

NEVER stand in water when touching your electrical panel.

Label Everything

Make it easy for anyone:

  • Use a permanent marker or label maker

  • Mark main shutoff valves clearly

  • Put instructions on your electrical panel

  • Include these locations in your family emergency plan

Resources

Home Safety Essentials