Smell it, leave it
If you smell natural gas (the rotten-egg odor added by the utility), evacuate immediately. Do not flip light switches, use phones, or create any spark inside the building. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
The gas shutoff valve is typically on the supply pipe near the meter, outside the house. Use a wrench to turn the valve a quarter turn so it is perpendicular to the pipe. Only the gas utility should turn it back on, because relighting pilot lights requires professional training and leak testing.
Keep a non-sparking wrench (brass or aluminum) attached to or near the meter.
Stop the flow, then assess
The main water shutoff is usually near the water meter (often at the street or where the supply line enters the house). Turn it clockwise to close. Every household member should know where it is.
Individual fixture shutoffs (under sinks, behind toilets) handle localized leaks without cutting water to the whole house. Test these annually, as they can seize from disuse.
The main breaker
The main breaker is at the top of the electrical panel. Flip it to OFF to cut all power to the house. This is appropriate when you see sparking, smell burning from the panel, or are dealing with flooding that may reach electrical outlets.
Never touch an electrical panel while standing in water. If the panel area is flooded, do not attempt to shut off power yourself. Call the utility for an emergency disconnect.
- Gas: evacuate first, shutoff second, call utility third
- Water: main shutoff near meter, clockwise to close
- Electrical: main breaker to OFF at top of panel
- Never touch electrical panel while standing in water
- Keep a wrench near the gas meter
- Test fixture shutoffs annually
- Earthquake Preparedness — FEMA utility shutoff guidance.
- Electrical Safety — CPSC home electrical safety.