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.

HOW TO SOLVE TYPICAL HOUSEHOLD ISSUES?

Prevent The Emergency By Yourself

Follow our simple instructions before you call the professionals. Remember to turn off the power before inspecting the furnace's interior. Your gas furnace may need a new ignition switch if the pilot light has been extinguished. If the pilot light isn't the problem, look for signs of broken wiring or burned out switches and sensors to narrow down the issue. Make sure both the fan and the motor are running. Whenever one of these parts stops working, it's time to contact a maintenance specialist.

Electricity Outage

Make sure everyone is okay by using your phone as a compass. Afterwards, if your neighbors and streetlights are still powered up, check your breakers to see if the power outage was caused by an overload or other problem. Your utility company should be contacted to report a power outage and get information on restoration times. Put perishables on ice or dispose of them if the outage is expected to last for more than a few hours.

Ceiling Crack

Water damage can be prevented if buckets or plastic sheets are gathered under the leak. Determine where the leak is coming from by going into your crawlspace or attic: Depending on the cause of the leak, it could be as simple as a burst pipe or a damaged roof underlayment, so be patient. Hiring a specialist can help you narrow down the source of the problem. Repair and restore your ceiling as soon as possible while you wait. When it comes to household emergencies, it's best to deal with them as soon as possible.