How to deal with household emergencies
A household emergency can strike at unexpected moments and your response, or lack thereof, could determine how things come out in the end.
Most people think they know quite a lot, but most of what they have learned consists of myths that could actually do more harm than good. Put yourself to the test and seriously ask yourself: what would I do in these situations?
ELECTRICTY
First and foremost, if the floor is damp or the wiring has gotten wet, it is dangerous to touch the main switch box. Have the electricity turned off by the municipality in the main meter box.
When turning off electricity, most fuse boxes or main circuit breaker boxes have main levers or switches where you can flip them to the Off position, it is that simple.
ELECTRIC SHOCKS
Never try to touch a shock victim who is still touching the source of the shock, the current can flow right through to you.
Use a wooden object, like a broom handle to dislodge the victim from the source. Then call for help. Never use a metal object to dislodge the victim!
NATURAL GAS
If you smell gas, open windows and shut off the main gas valve. Do not light a flame or turn any electrical switches on or off.
Do not use your phone.
Leave your house and report the leak from a neighbour’s house. LP gas is heavier than air and sinks to lower levels. If you can, go to the natural gas shut off and turn lever on the meter intake pipe so it’s perpendicular to the pipe.
If you have both propane and natural-gas appliances, here is an easy way to distinguish the smells. Sniff around, and if the smell is strongest below nose level, it’s propane. Natural gas is lighter and tends to spread through the air, heavier propane tends to settle closer to the floor.
A faint gas odour may signal that a pilot light is out on one of your appliances. in order to relight, set the control valve to off, then to pilot. Release gas to the pilot light by depressing either the red button or the handle, depending on the appliance model. Light with a match; then keep the button or handle depressed for at least one minute. Release it and set the control to On.
PLUMBING ISSUES
A strong smell of sewage from any fixture may indicate that the trap in the waste pipe leading away from the fixture has gone bad. Pour water into the drain and wait to see if the smell goes away. If it doesn’t, you may have more problems, so call a plumber.
If you have a flood in progress, minimise the damage with these do’s and don’ts:
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Shut off the main water valve if the flood is the result of a broken pipe
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Shut off electricity to the flooded area, but only if it is possible to reach the main circuit box without touching water!
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Wear rubber boot and gloves if leak is in a drain line or has been contaminated with sewage, and disinfect the area after it has been cleaned and allowed to dry.
- Ddon’t wade through standing water if it has come in contact with electrical outlets or appliances, the water may be electrically charged.
- Don’t run a gas powered water pump in the house as it produces hazardous fumes.
DOWN THE DRAIN?
Don’t give up on a piece of jewellery or other valuable items that go down the drain. Instead, use a pipe wrench to open the plug on the u- shaped trap under the sink or to remove the entire trap if there is no plug. Dump everything from the trap into a bucket, don rubber gloves and look for the item.
SMALL FIRES
STOVETOP FIRE
Oil that is left to overheat can easily become a blazing fire. Don't get into a panic. Turn off the heat on the cooker immediately and carefully cover the pan with a lid, plate or damp tea towel. Leave the cover in place for a least 15 to 20 minutes - removing the cover may reignite the flames.
Do not move the pan - It is not a good idea to rush out of the house with a blazing pot, as this could result in even more damage and could even cause a fire in your home.
Never throw water on an oil fire.
ELECTRICAL FIRE
Where an electrical appliance shorts out and the main switch on the circuit board does not trip, turn off the main switch. Do not touch the appliance until the main switch has been turned off. Use a fire extinguisher to extinguish any resultant fire.
Every home should have a small fire extinguisher on hand in the event of such emergencies. If you’re concerned of possible fires within your area, you may purchase a police scanner for emergencies as well.
ELECTRICAL SHORT
In a home with old wiring, plug sockets and electrical outlets may short out as a result of electrical wires becoming brittle and breaking. Burning electrical wires have an obnoxious odour and it is recommended that you switch off the main switch and immediately call an electrician.
MINOR BURNS
Forget everything you may have heard. The correct action is to rinse gently with cool water and coat the burn with antibiotic ointment. If the burn is on a sensitive area of the body such as the face or if there are a lot of blisters, then go to the ER and do not pop the blisters.
You also want to seek medical assistance if a burn completely circles a limb or is larger than your hand.
SMART AND SAFE
• Know the location of the main electrical circuit board.
• Locate the main water stop valve and make sure that it is accessible at all times.
• Have a handy list of emergency numbers for your area.
• Equip your home with a small fire extinguisher.
• Educate the entire family about emergency procedures.