How to Manage Common Household Emergencies
* Stay calm and assess the situation. Is the power outage widespread? How long is it expected to last?
* Call your power company. They will be able to provide you with information about the outage and an estimated time of restoration.
* Conserve your resources. Turn off lights and appliances that you don't need, and unplug electronics.
* Keep food and drinks cold. If you have a cooler, fill it with ice and place your food and drinks inside. If you don't have a cooler, you can store food and drinks in a shady spot outside.
* Be prepared to use a generator. If you have a generator, make sure it is properly ventilated and that you are using it safely.
* Be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can build up in your home during a power outage. Make sure your home is properly ventilated and that you are not using any appliances that produce carbon monoxide, such as generators, propane stoves, or charcoal grills.
Water Outage
* Stay calm and assess the situation. Is the water outage widespread? How long is it expected to last?
* Call your water company. They will be able to provide you with information about the outage and an estimated time of restoration.
* Conserve your water. Turn off faucets and showerheads when you're not using them.
* Use bottled water for drinking and cooking. If you don't have bottled water, you can boil water to make it safe to drink.
* Flush your toilets sparingly. Only flush the toilet when necessary, and use as little water as possible when you do.
* Be prepared to use a generator. If you have a generator, make sure it is properly ventilated and that you are using it safely.
* Be aware of the risks of dehydration. Dehydration is a serious condition that can occur when you don't drink enough water. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty.
Gas Leak
* Stay calm and leave the area immediately. Open the windows and doors to ventilate the area, and call the gas company.
* Do not smoke, use any open flames, or turn on any electrical appliances. These things could cause a spark and ignite the gas.
* Evacuate the area and wait for the gas company to arrive. They will be able to safely shut off the gas and make repairs.
Fire
* Call 911 immediately. Get out of the house and stay out.
* Do not try to fight the fire yourself. This could put your life in danger.
* Follow the instructions of the firefighters. They will be able to safely extinguish the fire and make sure that everyone is safe.
Medical Emergency
* Call 911 immediately. If someone is seriously injured or ill, call for medical help immediately.
* While you're waiting for help to arrive, try to provide first aid. This could include giving CPR or stopping the bleeding.
* Stay calm and follow the instructions of the medical professionals. They will be able to provide the best care for the injured or ill person.