The Washington State Military Department (WSMD) has created a simple one-year guide—Prepare in a Year—to help people tackle one task per month. We will follow it here to help you prepare in one category every thirty days so that you will make progress monthly and feel ready by the end of the year. If you are preparing your family, make sure your family members know what to do as well. If you are preparing your business, make sure your colleagues or employees are up to date.

Our task for August is to Get Utility Safe.

Getting utility safe is pretty easy to do. It mostly consists of

• before a disaster: familiarizing yourself with the turnoff valves for gas, water, and electricity and making sure your gas systems and electrical systems are safe

• after a disaster: possibly turning off gas, water, and/or electricity

Gas

On Bainbridge people use propane. The concern with propane is that, in an earthquake or wildfire, gas systems can sustain damage leading to leaks and/or explosions.

Before a Disaster

• Figure out where the shut-off valve is on your tanks.

• Hang a crescent wrench that is at least 12 inches long near the tank. Adjust it to fit your valve before hanging it so that, if it rusts, it will still be useable to turn off the valve.

• Do not store any gas tanks indoors, whether that be inside a house, a garage, or a shed.

• Store gas tanks upright.

• Keep them in a cool pace (below 125°F).

• Don’t reuse or try to repair damaged tanks.

• Don’t keep spare tanks beneath a grill.

After a Disaster

• If any of the following is true, shut off the gas:

  • You smell the odor of gas (rotten eggs).

  • You hear a hissing sound.

  • The meter dial is spinning more rapidly than normal.

• Do not light a match, flip a switch, or use a lighter until you are certain there is no gas leak.

• To shut off the valves, remember that right is tight and left is loose. Turn the valve 90 degrees (1/4 turn) so that it crosses the pipe.

• Don’t use WD-40TM lubricant on rusted valves. The lubricant corrodes the O-rings.

• If there is a gas leak, carefully (so as not to create a spark) open windows and doors to provide ventilation. Evacuate from the house and get far from the tank.

• If you’re using a generator, make sure to operate it safely:

  • Inspect the generator before each use.

  • Maintain five feet of clearance around the generator.

  • Keep the generator on a flat, dry surface.

  • Don’t run the generator inside or near open windows.

Water

Water can be a hazard if it is flooding your home. It can also create an electrical hazard.

Before a Disaster

• Make sure your water tank is bolted down.

• Find the shut-off valves for water entering your house.

After a Disaster

If water is leaking from a damaged pipe in your home, turn off the water at the main valve.

Electricity

The main concerns with electricity are the threat of electric shock caused by damaged systems or contact with water or the potential for electricity to spark a gas exp[losion.

Before a Disaster

• Know where your circuit box is located.

• Make sure everyone old enough in your household knows how to turn off the breakers.

• Replace loose or cracked outlets and frayed wires. Make sure appliance cords don’t run beneath carpeting or rest on furniture.

• Don’t nail or staple cords to the wall.

After a Disaster

• If you suspect a gas leak, turn off the electricity.

• Shut off all the individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit breaker. Start at the bottom of the circuit box and work your way up.

• If you have to evacuate your home, turn off the electricity.