Know your home's emergency shutoffs | PEMCO

When something goes wrong at home — a gas leak, a burst pipe, a burning smell from an outlet — every second counts. But a PEMCO Northwest Poll from a few years back found that many people, especially those under 35, don’t know where their main utility shutoffs are. That’s a problem in an emergency, and it’s why PEMCO wants to help you get familiar with these essentials before you ever need them. 

Below is a simple, no-nonsense guide to locating and using the main shutoffs in your home, plus smart ways to prevent damage before it starts. 

How to shut off gas

If you smell a strong gas odor or feel symptoms (like dizziness or nausea): 

• Leave immediately. 
• Avoid anything that could spark — including light switches, landline phones, and garage door openers. 
• From a safe location, call 9-1-1 and then your gas utility provider. 
• If the smell is faint and you feel fine: 
• Quickly open windows and doors to ventilate. 
• Exit the home and call your utility provider or emergency services from a safe place. 
• If your utility company instructs you to shut off the gas: 
• Locate the main gas-line valve, usually the first fitting on the pipe next to your meter. 
• Use a crescent wrench (store one in a sealed bag near the valve so it’s ready to go). 
• Once it’s off, do not turn the gas back on yourself. Your utility provider or a certified technician must inspect and relight appliances safely. 

How to shut off water

For small issues — like an overflowing toilet — turn the nearest valve clockwise to stop the flow quickly. 

For the whole house: 

• Look for the main water shutoff in the garage, basement, near the water heater, or under the kitchen sink. 
• You also have an outdoor shutoff next to the in-ground water meter by the street. This may require a special “key” from a hardware store, and it’s often the best choice for older homes with fragile indoor plumbing. 

Safety first: 

• If water has pooled on the floor, don’t wade through it to reach the shutoff. Turn off your electricity first — water could be carrying electrical current. 
• And after a pipe break, don’t use your water until your utility company confirms it’s safe and uncontaminated. 

How to shut off electricity

This is one of the simplest — and most important — shutoffs. 

• Open the metal cover to your electrical panel. Keep a flashlight nearby since it will get dark once power is cut. 
• If the area around the panel is flooded, call your utility company before touching anything. 

To cut power to your entire home:  

• Turn off each individual circuit. 
• Then switch off the main breaker. 
• Note: Turning off breakers does not deactivate live power lines outside. Never approach damaged or fallen lines. 

To turn power back on: 

• Start with the main breaker, then switch on each circuit one at a time. 
• Some breakers require you to push them past OFF before turning them back ON. 
• They can feel stiff — that’s normal. 
• If there’s any chance of gas line damage from a natural disaster, wait for a utility worker to confirm it’s safe before restoring power. 

If you still can't find your shutoffs

• Ask a professional the next time you have plumbing, electrical, or gas appliance maintenance done. 
• If you live in a condo, your building manager can show you exactly where your unit’s shutoffs are. 

How sensors can help

You can make your home safer — and qualify for a discount on your PEMCO Homeowner, Condo, or Renter policy — by installing smart sensors. 

Water leak sensors: 

• Place them in high-risk spots like laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. 

Gas and propane sensors:  

• For natural gas (which rises), install them near the ceiling. 
• For propane (heavier than air), install them near the floor. 
• Savings increase when your sensors are self- or centrally monitored, and especially when they connect to automatic shutoff systems. 

For details, talk to your PEMCO agent or call 1‑800‑GO‑PEMCO.