FloodSmart - prepare now for tomorrow. Turn it off … gas, electric and water
If your property is about to be flooded, turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies - if it's safe to do so. Never touch an electrical switch if you're standing in water.
Plan ahead - make sure you know how to shut off your utilities before an emergency happens.
Where to find your meters
Meters can be located in various places inside or outside your home, including:
- under the stairs
- in the kitchen
- in a garage
- at the front or side of your property
- at the back of the house
In flats or shared buildings, meters may also be in communal areas.
How to turn off electricity
Locate your consumer unit, fuse box, or distribution board and use the main ON/OFF switch. Some homes have more than one unit (e.g., for storage heaters), so check in advance. The most important switch is the main switch - in an emergency, move it to the OFF position.
How to turn off gas
Gas meters come in different types and locations, often inside or outside your property. See the diagram for details of common meter boxes:
- built-in/recessed
- semi-concealed
- surface/wall-mounted
- kiosk-style
Open your gas meter box and locate the red tap handle near the pipe-this is the Emergency Control Valve (ECV). The handle will be aligned with the pipe. To switch off the supply, turn it a quarter turn clockwise or anticlockwise.
How to turn off the water supply
Inside your home, the stopcock is usually found under the kitchen sink, but it may also be in a hallway or cupboard near the sink.
The stopcock looks like a spout-less tap or lever between two lengths of pipe. Check now that it moves freely, as they can seize over time.
External mains water stopcock - not all properties have one outside, especially older homes. If the stop tap is within your property boundary, it's your responsibility to maintain and operate it. If it's outside the boundary, your local water company is responsible.
For more details, click here: Where Is My Stop Tap? - Southern Water
Take action now - find your shut-off points, label them, and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do. Preparing today means you can act quickly and safely if flooding strikes.