Emergency Procedures

When Disaster Strikes, Here's How to Strike Back.

By observing a few simple emergency shut-off procedures, you can help
protect your and your family during a natural disaster.

When Mother Nature comes calling with anything other than sweet sunshine and
balmy temperatures, you have cause for concern. Especially when "she"
decides to send the extreme stuff, like an earthquake, hurricane, tornado,
and other such pleasantries.

So what's a homeowner to do? Well, as your preferred plumbing resource, Aux
Mechanical would like to offer a few ideas on how, when and why to turn off
your main water and power supplies.

Water Shut-Off Procedures

Following a natural disaster, conduct a visual inspection for leaks in your
various plumbing systems. Also, check your water supply lines by turning
water faucets on and off. If the cold water stops running, runs very slowly
after a few seconds, or is dirty, you most likely have a leak.

In that event, you'll want to shut off your main water supply. There are
two basic means:

* Turn off the water where it enters the house...in many homes,
there's a valve just below your main outdoor faucet;
* Or, you can shut down your water supply by turning the valve
attached to your water meter.

Water valves either have round or lever-type handles. With a lever, you
only have to make a one-quarter turn to shut off your water. Round handles
are typically harder to turn, so you may have to give it a few tries. To
turn off your water, turn the handle clockwise. And if you don't have a
main water shut off, you should have one installed.

Power Shut-Off Procedures

In the immediate aftermath of a major disaster, do not turn lights on or off
or use matches if you have gas heat! Instead, use flashlights to check for
gas leaks to prevent an explosion or fire. If you do hear or smell a leak,
shut off your gas valve and immediately open your doors and windows to vent
the accumulated gas.

Also, if you hear sparking sounds or see or smell smoke, then you need to
turn off your electrical power. If your house has fuses, you'll find a
knife switch or pull-out fuse that should be marked "Main." If you have a
circuit breaker, turn off the small breakers first, and then the "Main"
breaker. But whatever you do, never remove the metal cover.
Want to Know More?

For more information on how to protect your home following a natural
disaster, call us today. Also, we invite you to redeem the attached coupon
today for a $50 savings on a complete inspection of all your plumbing
fixtures and systems.

Pj Smitherman
Operations Manager
Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical

If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've
never done. "Dave Ramsey"

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