Utilities:

Natural gas leaks can cause an explosive and flammable atmosphere inside a building.

Gas

Natural gas leaks can cause fires and explosions inside a building.

If you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line, or if you suspect a leak, shut off the main valve and open all windows and doors.

Never use candles or matches if you suspect a leak. Do not turn on electrical switches or appliances.

Identify the main shutoff valve, located on the gas line coming into the main gas meter. This is usually on the exterior of your home or building, or in an external closet. Your main valve may look like this: 

To turn gas off, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. When the lever crosses the direction of the pipe (see illustration) the gas is off.

Keep a crescent wrench or gas shut-off tool nearby to turn the lever.

Never attempt to turn your gas back on. Wait for your utility company to do it. This may take several days.

Electricity

Electrocution can result from direct contact with live wires or anything that has been energized by these wires.

Locate your main electric switch, which is normally in the garage or outdoors. The panel box may have a flip switch or pull handle on a large circuit breaker.

Shut off electricity when:

Arcing or burning occurs in electrical devices.

There is a fire or significant water leak.

You smell burning insulation.

The area around switches or plugs is blackened and/ or hot to the touch.

Water

Water leaks can cause property damage and create an electrocution hazard.

After a major earthquake, shut off your water supply to protect the water in your house. Cracked pipes may allow contaminants into the water supply in your home.

The water shutoff is usually located in the basement, garage or where the water line enters the home. The water shutoff is located on a riser pipe and is usually a red or yellow wheel. Turn wheel clockwise to shut off.

Sewer Service

A disaster that disrupts all or part of the City’s water and/or sewer lines could affect the way you deal with human waste.

If there is no water in your toilet, but the sewer lines are intact, pour 3-5 gallons of water into the toilet bowl to flush. You may use seawater, bath, laundry or pool water.

If you suspect damage to your home’s water lines, do NOT flush the toilet. Turn off water at the house so contaminated water does not enter your water system.

If sewer lines are broken, line bowl with double-bagged garbage bags to collect waste. Before discarding, add a small amount of bleach; then seal the bag and place in a tightly covered container, away from people.

If the toilet is unusable, use a sturdy bucket with a tight fitting lid, and line it with a double-bagged plastic garbage bag.

This is an important message from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. During a power outage, never use generators, grills, or other gasoline-, propane-, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, garage, or carport or near doors, windows, or vents. They produce carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that kills more than 500 Americans each year. If your home is damaged, stay with friends or family or in a shelter. To learn more, call the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO.