🚧 How to Find Emergency Shut-Offs for Water, Gas & Electricity 🛠️
In an emergency, knowing how to quickly shut off your water, gas, and electricity can prevent major damage — and even save lives. Whether it’s a burst pipe, gas leak, or electrical fault, here’s how to locate and operate the key shut-offs in your home 🏡
💧 Water Shut-Off
Where to Find It:
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Most homes have the main water shut-off valve at the front of the property, near the water meter.
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Common locations include:
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In a meter box
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Near the footpath or garden bed
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Inside older homes, under the kitchen sink or in a laundry area
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How to Turn It Off:
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Turn the tap or handle clockwise (right) until it stops.
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If it’s a lever-style valve, turn it so it’s perpendicular (90°) to the pipe.
🔧 Tip: Keep a water meter key handy if your valve is underground or behind a cover.
🔥 Gas Shut-Off
Where to Find It:
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Your main gas shut-off valve is typically at your gas meter, which is usually:
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On the side of the house
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In a meter box or small cage
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Attached to an external wall
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How to Turn It Off:
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Turn the valve a quarter turn (90°) so that it’s across (perpendicular to) the pipe.
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When the valve is in line with the pipe, gas is on; when crosswise, gas is off.
🚨 Smell gas? Get everyone out of the house and turn it off only if it’s safe. Then call 000 and your gas provider.
⚡ Electricity Shut-Off
Where to Find It:
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Your main electrical switchboard is typically located:
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On the outside of the house
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In a garage or laundry
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Inside a meter box
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How to Turn It Off:
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Open the switchboard panel.
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Find the main switch — often labelled “MAIN SWITCH”.
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Flip the switch to the OFF position.
💡 Tip: You can also turn off individual circuits if you know what’s causing the issue (e.g., a short-circuit in the kitchen).
🧠 Bonus: Label Everything!
Make your shut-offs easy to find in a hurry:
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🏷️ Use waterproof labels for valves and switches
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📸 Take a photo of each shut-off location
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🧾 Keep a printed copy of your home’s shut-off map near the front door or in your emergency kit
✅ Be Prepared, Not Panicked
Taking 10 minutes today to find and understand your emergency shut-offs can make a huge difference in a crisis. Share the info with everyone in your household — especially teens, roommates, or elderly family members.