Murphy’s Law states that anything that can go wrong often will go wrong. That doesn’t mean you have to sit back and watch it happen, though. In fact, a little preparedness and swift action can mean the difference between a mishap and a catastrophe.
Here are 8 common household mishaps and tips on how you can protect your home and loved ones from disaster.
Power Outage
During a blackout, the safest course of action is to disconnect all electronics and appliances. Otherwise, once the power is restored, an electrical surge can damage or ruin your electronics and other electricity-dependent systems.
Burst Pipe
A burst pipe can cause a lot of trouble in a short period of time. First, protect your pipes from freezing and bursting by insulating those in unheated areas of the house, shutting off and draining all outdoor faucets, and leaving a faucet or two to trickle when temps dip below freezing. However, if a pipe has already burst, close the valve closest to the link, then shut off the main water valve into the house. Reopen the smaller valve and slowly drain any remaining water into buckets. Then, contact a licensed plumber to repair or replace the damaged pipe.
Flooded Basement
Never enter a flooded basement (or any flooded area of a home) unless you are certain that power has been shut off. Turn off the circuit breaker to the house; if you can’t safely reach the circuit box, call your utility and ask them to shut off the power for you. Wear thick waterproof boots and gloves to protect against toxic elements that may be present in the floodwater.
Gas Leak
If your carbon monoxide detector sounds or you simply detect a rotten egg odor, evacuate the house immediately and call the gas company’s 24-hour help line from a safe location. Do not re-enter the home unless a technician confirms it’s OK to do so.
Uninvited Visitors
When critters find their way indoors, they can wreak havoc in a home. If a wild animal gets into your house, try to keep it contained in one area. Open a window and close all the doors to help it find its’ way out. If it doesn’t, contact animal control.
Roof Damage
Once severe weather has passed, patch damaged areas of a roof by nailing down tarps with wood strips. If you are unable to do so safely, call a professional to do it for you. Then arrange for a more permanent repair.
Kitchen Fire
A kitchen fire can be scary, but it can also be controlled. Simply douse a stovetop flare-up with a box of baking soda or smother the flames with a pot lid. If it’s an oven fire, do not open the door. Turn the oven off and keep the door closed and the fire should extinguish itself. Keep a household extinguisher handy and familiarize yourself with how to use it so that you don’t spread flames instead of extinguishing them.
Flush Failure
An appropriate plunger should be your first line of defense for a clogged toilet. If the clog is cleared but flushing troubles persist, open the tank and make sure the handle hasn’t gotten disconnected, or that a part of the flush mechanism isn’t damaged and needs to be replaced.
At Blau Sudden Service, we know things can go from bad to worse in the blink of an eye. That’s why we offer 24-hour emergency plumbing, heating, AC, and electrical services. Our team of specialists is ready to provide the prompt, professional service you depend on so you can get back to more important matters. Contact us today or anytime day or night.