While home emergencies do not happen every single day, they do occur at times. Even though you cannot fix all home emergencies yourself, it’s helpful to learn how to address them.

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Keep reading to learn a few safe ways to handle common home emergencies.

1. Gas Leak

Gas leaks can cause explosions and make you sick, so if you have a gas leak in your home, you’ll need to take care of it quickly. One tell-tale sign of a gas leak is a strange smell typically similar to rotten eggs, so if you notice this smell, take action immediately.

Go outside as soon as possible, call the utility company, and inform them of the situation. Do not turn on any electrical appliances, and never light a candle or strike a match anywhere in the vicinity.

2. Power Outage

When you learn how to deal with electrical emergencies in your home, you’ll find that there are many different types you might encounter. Some are dangerous and require a professional, while others are simple fixes that you can do yourself.

While you cannot control a power outage, you can prepare for it. When you encounter a power outage, disconnect and turn off any electrical equipment or appliances you were using when the power went out. If you need light, use flashlights. Avoid lighting candles, if possible, since they can turn into a fire hazard.

3. Kitchen Fire

Kitchen fires occur more often than you might think. It’s too easy to get distracted while you cook and accidentally create a fire. There are a couple of ways to handle kitchen fires. If you need to put out a grease fire, smother it with baking soda or place a metal lid over the pan to suffocate the fire.

You should never add water to a grease fire, as this will only make it worse. If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the oven and keep the oven door closed until the fire goes out.

4. Overflow of Water

It’s not uncommon for your sink or bathtub to overflow occasionally. In this situation, the first thing you need to do is turn off the water. If you cannot turn off the faucet, shut off the main water valve to your home. Then, all you need to do is mop up the water and call a professional to repair the faulty water faucet.

Now you know some safe ways to handle common home emergencies. If any of these situations occur in your home, remember to stay calm and use these steps to solve the problem safely.