Feel Safe With Knowledge
House emergencies happen suddenly, so it's important to know the basic steps to prevent real disasters. Below we describe some often house incidents and how to cope with them. Remember, Preparation is the best way to deal with a home emergency.
Kitchen Emergencies
Never use water to put out a grease fire, as it will spread the grease around and make the situation even more difficult to deal with. If you can't find a suitable metal lid from a nearby pot, look around the area for one (a wok lid, for example, is ideal). It's best to keep the lid on the fire until it dies of suffocation. Then, inspect the heated lid for damage before removing it. Baking soda can be used to put out a small fire if you don't have a lid. It's normal for a newly installed stove to emit a small amount of smoke. First, remove all oil and chemical residue from the oven's interior. If you're having trouble with smoking, turn off the oven and open the windows around the house to increase the amount of fresh air entering the house (this is also a good time to see how sensitive your smoke detector is). If your oven is overcooking your meal, check the timer controls.
Bathroom Section
Toilet overflowing is caused by toilets that cannot stop flushing and are unable to drain properly. Once the water supply has been shut off, the next step is to remove the seat from the toilet. Then, to prevent further damage, remove any standing water as quickly as possible and then investigate the source of the issue. First, look for clogs and other problems preventing the toilet from draining, and then look for issues with the fill tube and float that may keep the toilet from shutting off.
Look for a small faucet at the top of your water heater to check the temperature and pressure. Pressure in the tank will cause this valve to open, allowing water to be drained from the tank: Your wiring and settings may need to be checked, even though this doesn't appear to be a leak. It is far more dangerous to have a real leak, such as one caused by a broken valve or a shattered storage tank: Take a moment to consider your options before turning off your water supply. In most cases, draining the tank completely is required for any repairs, allowing you to remove any sediment accumulated.