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Printable Home Cards

A breaker directory for the panel door, and a shutoff card for the day something goes wrong.

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Breaker directory

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Emergency shutoffs

Main water

Location: ____________

  1. Turn the valve clockwise until it stops, or a quarter turn for a lever valve.
  2. Open the lowest faucet to drain pressure.

Gas

Location: ____________

  1. If you smell gas indoors, leave first. Call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
  2. Only shut the meter valve if it is safe to reach. A quarter turn so the tab sits across the pipe.
  3. Have the utility turn the gas back on and relight the pilots.

Main electric

Location: ____________

  1. Stand on a dry surface and use one hand.
  2. Switch the main breaker at the top of the panel to OFF.

How it works

  1. Fill in your panel. Enter each breaker's amps and what it feeds.
  2. Note the shutoffs. Record where the water, gas and electric shutoffs are and what tool each needs.
  3. Print and post. Tape the directory inside the panel door and keep the shutoff card where everyone can find it.

Questions

How do I work out what each breaker feeds?

Plug a lamp into each outlet, switch one breaker off at a time and write down what goes dark. Test every outlet, because rooms often share circuits.

Should I shut off the gas myself?

Only if you smell gas and the valve is outside and safe to reach. If you smell gas indoors, leave first and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Have the utility turn the gas back on.

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