- Turning off your home's gas and electricity may protect appliances in case of a flood.flood defenses image by Studio Pookini from Fotolia.com
Based in San Francisco, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provides natural gas and electric services to more than 15 million customers. In the event they are forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding, PG&E suggests a number of safety protocols. The most important of these is to shut off your gas and electric service if you know how and can do so safely. This may prevent appliances and other equipment from being damaged. - gas valve image by Falk from Fotolia.com
In the event of a flood, PG&E recommends that gas appliances be turned off using the appliance's own gas shutoff valve. If it is not possible to shut off the gas to an individual appliance, PG&E recommends turning off gas at the home's shutoff valve, which will normally be located near the gas meter. To do this, use a 12 to 15 inch adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench to give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. The valve is closed when the tang (the part you put the wrench on) is perpendicular to the pipe. In order to be prepared for a flooding emergency, PG&E urges its customers to know where their main gas service shutoff valve is located. The company also suggests keeping the appropriate wrench close by the shutoff valve. - electric panel image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
PG&E also recommends its customers turn off the electric supply to the entire premises at the main electric switch. The utility warns its customers to never touch the electric switch or circuit breaker with wet hands or while standing in water. - Getting electricity back up and running after it has been shut off is as simple as flipping a switch. However, PG&E recommends that customers who have shut off their gas service leave it off until service can be restored safely by PG&E or another qualified professional.
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