Category: Everyday Skills

Handling a Minor Emergency at Home

Something goes wrong at home.

Maybe:

You cut your finger while cooking
A glass breaks
A small appliance starts smoking
Water begins leaking under the sink
The power suddenly goes out
A smoke or carbon monoxide alarm sounds
Someone spills a household chemical
A toilet starts overflowing
A small burn happens in the kitchen
A shelf comes loose from the wall
You smell something unusual

Your first thought may be:

“What do I do?”

Most household problems can be handled much more easily when you know what to do first.

But there is an important distinction:

A minor household emergency is something you may be able to stabilize safely while deciding what comes next.

A situation involving immediate danger to:

Life
Breathing
Serious injury
Fire
Gas
Carbon monoxide
Severe bleeding
Major electrical danger

is not a routine household problem.

Get appropriate emergency help.

The most important skill is not knowing how to personally fix every emergency.

It is recognizing:

Is this something I can safely handle, or do I need to get out and get help?

Start With Safety

Before touching anything, ask:

“Is it safe for me to stay here?”

Look for immediate hazards such as:

Fire
Heavy smoke
Gas smell
Carbon monoxide alarm
Major electrical hazard
Rapidly spreading water near electricity
Serious injury
Someone having trouble breathing

If there is immediate danger, protecting people comes before protecting property. Ready.gov advises getting out during a home fire and staying out rather than returning for belongings.

Do Not Make the Emergency Bigger

A common mistake is reacting so quickly that you create another problem.

For example:

Small electrical problem.

Then someone pours water on it.

Now there are two problems.

Or:

Something breaks.

You immediately grab the sharp pieces with your hands.

New problem.

Or:

Water leaks near an appliance.

You walk through the water to unplug it.

Potentially much bigger problem.

Before acting, ask:

“Will doing this expose me to more danger?”

Use the SAFE Method

When something unexpected happens at home, remember:

Know When “Minor” Is No Longer Minor

A situation may require emergency help if someone:

Cannot breathe normally
Is unresponsive
Has severe bleeding
Has a serious burn
Has a seizure
May have been seriously poisoned
Is trapped
Is in immediate danger

The Red Cross treats unresponsiveness, breathing emergencies, severe choking, and life-threatening bleeding as situations requiring emergency response.

If You Are Unsure Whether Something Is Dangerous

Do not prove that it is dangerous by experimenting.

If you are dealing with:

Electricity
Gas
Fire
Chemicals
Serious injury

and you are unsure:

Move away and get appropriate help.

Small Cuts and Scrapes

Minor cuts are one of the most common household injuries.

First:

Make sure the situation is safe.

Then deal with the wound.

Control Minor Bleeding

For an ordinary small cut:

Use clean material to apply steady pressure.

For serious or life-threatening external bleeding, the Red Cross recommends firm direct pressure and emergency assistance.

Clean a Minor Wound

Once minor bleeding is controlled:

Follow appropriate basic wound-care guidance.

Keep the area:

Clean
Protected

and watch for problems.

The Red Cross distinguishes ordinary minor wounds from serious bleeding that requires emergency care.

Know When a Cut Needs More Help

Get appropriate medical help for wounds that are:

Deep
Gaping
Heavily contaminated
Caused by a serious bite
Not stopping bleeding with appropriate pressure
Associated with loss of movement or sensation

Do not keep trying to treat a significant injury as a kitchen Band-Aid problem.

Burns

Minor burns can happen from:

Hot pan
Steam
Hot water
Oven rack
Curling iron

The first goal is to stop the burning process.

Cool a Minor Thermal Burn

The Red Cross recommends cooling a thermal burn under clean, cool running water rather than using ice.

Do not use:

Ice directly on the burn
Butter
Grease
Random household remedies

Remove the Person From the Heat Source

If safe:

Move away from the:

Stove
Hot liquid
Heated object

Do not continue exposure while trying to decide what to do.

More Serious Burns Need More Help

Seek appropriate medical or emergency care for burns that are:

Large
Deep
Electrical
Chemical
Associated with breathing problems
Involving significant areas or vulnerable parts of the body

Do not assume every burn can be handled at home.

Kitchen Fire

A fire can move from:

“small problem”

to:

“leave the house”

very quickly.

Helpful Resources: Browse Fire Extinguishers & Small-Fire Response for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Your Priority Is Escape

If a fire is spreading, smoke is increasing, or you cannot safely control the situation:

Get out.

Ready.gov advises people to escape during a home fire, use established exits, and stay outside after leaving.

Do Not Go Back for Things

Once safely outside during a fire:

Do not go back inside for:

Phone
Wallet
Pet supplies
Laptop
Important papers

Property can be replaced.

Know Your Exits Before a Fire Happens

Ready.gov recommends knowing two ways out of rooms when possible so another route is available if one is blocked by smoke or fire.

This is something to plan before you need it.

Smoke Alarms Matter

Working smoke alarms give you warning that something is wrong.

Ready.gov recommends installing and routinely testing appropriate smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Do not disable an alarm simply because it is inconvenient.

If an Alarm Keeps Going Off

Determine why.

Possible causes may include:

Smoke
Actual hazard
Maintenance issue
End-of-life warning

Use the alarm manufacturer’s official instructions.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Carbon monoxide is not something to troubleshoot casually.

If a carbon monoxide alarm indicates a possible dangerous condition:

Leave the area and follow appropriate emergency and official guidance rather than simply removing the batteries. Ready.gov emphasizes the importance of carbon monoxide alarms because CO can be deadly.

Do Not Assume You Would Smell Carbon Monoxide

A carbon monoxide alarm exists precisely because your senses are not a reliable detector.

Take the alarm seriously.

Gas Smell

If you smell:

Natural gas
Propane

do not treat it like an ordinary appliance problem.

Avoid creating ignition sources.

Leave as appropriate and follow the utility or local emergency procedure.

Ready.gov advises against entering a building when gas is suspected and recommends following official instructions during hazardous-material situations.

Do Not Search the House for the Leak Yourself

The goal is not:

“Let me find exactly where the gas is coming from.”

The goal is:

Get away from the potential hazard and get qualified help.

Electrical Problem

Electrical problems deserve caution.

Warning signs may include:

Sparks
Burning smell
Hot outlet
Damaged cord
Exposed wiring
Repeated breaker trips
Smoke

Stop Using the Item

If an appliance or device:

Sparks
Smokes
Severely overheats

stop using it.

Unplug it only if doing so can be done safely.

Do Not Touch Exposed Wiring

Do not handle:

Bare wires
Damaged electrical components
Wet energized equipment

Call appropriate help.

Water and Electricity

If water is near electrical equipment:

Do not walk into the water to reach:

Plug
Appliance
Breaker

unless the situation has been made electrically safe by someone who knows how to do that.

Do Not Use Water on an Electrical Fire

Use the appropriate emergency response.

If the fire cannot be safely controlled:

Leave.

Breaker Keeps Tripping

A breaker that trips once may have a straightforward explanation.

A breaker that repeatedly trips is telling you something.

Do not repeatedly reset it without understanding why.

Get appropriate electrical help.

Power Outage

If the lights suddenly go out:

First determine whether the problem is:

Your home
Part of your home
Neighborhood

Check Safely

Look outside.

Are nearby homes or streetlights also dark?

If yes:

The outage may be broader.

Use a Flashlight

Keep flashlights somewhere you can find them.

A phone flashlight can help temporarily.

But preserving phone battery during a longer outage may be useful.

Avoid Candles When You Have Safer Lighting

Battery-powered lighting avoids introducing another fire hazard.

Unplug Sensitive Electronics When Appropriate

Power disturbances can sometimes affect electronics.

Follow your utility’s and manufacturers’ recommendations.

Keep Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Closed

During an outage:

Avoid repeatedly opening:

Refrigerator
Freezer

This helps preserve cold temperatures longer.

For longer outages, follow current official food-safety guidance before deciding whether food is safe to keep.

Water Leak

A small water leak can become a much larger problem if ignored.

Common sources include:

Sink
Toilet
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Pipe
Water heater

First Ask: Can I Safely Stop the Water?

Depending on the source, there may be a:

Fixture shutoff valve
Appliance water valve
Main water shutoff

Only operate controls you understand and can safely reach.

Know Your Main Water Shutoff

This is one piece of home information worth knowing before an emergency.

Find out:

Where it is
How it works

before water is running across the floor.

Contain Small Amounts of Water

If safe:

Use:

Towels
Bucket
Mop

to limit spreading.

Move Items Away

Protect:

Electronics
Papers
Furniture

if they can be moved safely.

Water Near Electricity Changes the Situation

Do not focus on saving belongings if doing so requires entering an area with a potential electrical hazard.

Get appropriate professional help.

Contact the Right Person

If you rent:

Contact:

Property management
Landlord
Emergency maintenance

according to the situation.

If you own:

You may need:

Plumber
Appliance repair
Water-damage professional

depending on the source and severity.

Major Water Leak

If water is:

Flowing rapidly
Entering walls or ceilings
Affecting electrical systems
Causing structural concerns

this has moved beyond:

“Put a towel under it.”

Get qualified help promptly.

Overflowing Toilet

First:

Stop adding water.

Do not flush again.

If the Toilet Is Still Filling

If you know how and can safely do so:

Use the fixture’s shutoff valve.

Protect the Floor

Use:

Towels
Mop

as appropriate.

Avoid Contact With Contaminated Water

Water from a toilet overflow may be contaminated.

Use appropriate cleaning and protective measures.

Simple Clog vs Larger Problem

A basic clog may be manageable with appropriate tools.

But repeated:

Backups
Overflowing fixtures
Multiple drains affected

may indicate a larger plumbing problem.

Get professional help.

Leaking Ceiling

If water appears through the ceiling:

Do not stand directly under:

Bulging
Sagging
Damaged ceiling

The material may fail.

Move Away From the Area

Especially if:

Ceiling is sagging
Light fixture is involved
Water is near electricity

Get appropriate help.

Broken Glass

If glass breaks:

First protect:

Children
Pets
Bare feet

Keep everyone away.

Wear Shoes

Do not walk through the area barefoot.

Pick Up Large Pieces Carefully

Use appropriate:

Gloves
Tools

rather than bare hands.

Sweep the Area

Use:

Broom
Dustpan

for smaller fragments.

Check Beyond the Immediate Spot

Glass can travel surprisingly far.

Check:

Under furniture
Nearby floor
Adjacent areas

Do Not Use Your Hands to Search for Tiny Pieces

Use:

Light
Appropriate cleaning tools

instead.

Broken Mirror or Large Glass Panel

Large pieces of glass can be particularly dangerous.

Do not try to manage a large unstable panel alone if doing so could cause injury.

Chemical Spill

Household chemicals may include:

Cleaner
Bleach
Pesticide
Automotive fluid
Laundry product

The appropriate response depends on the substance.

Read the Product Information

Keep the container available if it can be done safely.

Do not transfer chemicals into:

Drinking bottles
Food containers
Unlabeled containers

Poison Control warns that transferring household products into beverage or other unlabeled containers can lead to dangerous accidental exposures.

Do Not Mix Cleaning Chemicals

Combining household chemicals can create dangerous reactions.

Use products only as directed.

If Someone May Have Been Poisoned

Do not guess.

Use an official poison-information service for case-specific guidance. Poison Control specifically recommends getting expert help promptly after a possible exposure rather than relying on household-product labels alone.

Serious Poisoning Symptoms

If someone:

Collapses
Has a seizure
Cannot breathe normally
Cannot be awakened

treat it as an emergency. Poison Control specifically identifies these as reasons for immediate emergency response.

Keep the Product Container

When seeking poison guidance, information about:

Substance
Amount
Time
Person exposed

can help determine the appropriate response.

Chemical in the Eye

Do not improvise with another chemical.

Use appropriate first-aid guidance and contact an official poison-information or medical service for specific instructions. Poison Control provides exposure-specific guidance for chemicals in the eye, on the skin, inhaled, or swallowed.

Chemical on the Skin

Follow the specific product and poison-response guidance.

Remove exposure safely.

Get expert help when needed.

Something Swallowed

Do not automatically:

Induce vomiting
Give a home remedy

Get appropriate poison-specific guidance instead. Poison Control’s recommendations depend on the actual substance, amount, age, symptoms, and time since exposure.

Choking

Choking can quickly become life-threatening.

If someone cannot:

Breathe effectively
Speak or cough effectively

use appropriate choking first aid and emergency response.

The Red Cross teaches specific first-aid techniques for severe choking and recommends activating emergency assistance when appropriate.

First-Aid Training Is Worth Having

Some emergency skills are much easier to use correctly if you learn them before the emergency.

Examples include:

CPR
Choking response
Bleeding control
Basic first aid

Formal training can give you practice instead of leaving you to learn from a screen while someone needs help.

Minor Slip or Fall

If someone falls:

Do not immediately yank them upright.

First ask:

Are they hurt?
Can they move normally?
Did they hit their head?
Are they dizzy?
Is there significant pain?

If Serious Injury Is Possible

Get appropriate medical help.

Do not force someone to stand if:

Severe pain
Obvious deformity
Serious head injury
Loss of consciousness

may be involved.

If the Fall Appears Minor

Once you know the person is okay:

Look at why it happened.

Possible causes:

Wet floor
Loose rug
Clutter
Poor lighting

Fix the hazard.

Do Not Only Help the Person

Also fix:

The thing that caused the fall.

Otherwise the emergency gets an encore.

Small Household Fire From Cooking

Cooking is a common place for household fires to begin.

Stay with active cooking.

Keep combustible items away from heat.

If a fire grows or you cannot safely control it:

Get out and seek emergency help. Ready.gov emphasizes evacuation as the priority in a home fire.

Do Not Carry a Burning Pan Through the House

Moving a burning object can spread:

Fire
Hot grease
Flames

Follow appropriate fire-safety guidance instead.

Fire Extinguishers

A fire extinguisher may be useful for certain small fires if:

You know how to use it
The extinguisher is appropriate
The fire is still small
You have a safe escape route

If those conditions are not met:

Leave.

Do Not Stay to Fight a Growing Fire

Your home is not a boss battle.

Get out.

Small Appliance Smoking

If a:

Toaster
Blender
Charger
Lamp

begins smoking or sparking:

Stop using it.

Disconnect it only if you can do so safely.

Do not keep turning it on.

Put the Item Somewhere Safe Only if Safe to Do So

Do not carry a smoking or overheating electrical device through your home if handling it could expose you to:

Burns
Battery failure
Fire

Move away and get appropriate help instead.

Swollen Battery

A swollen rechargeable battery should not be:

Charged
Punctured
Crushed
Bent

Stop using the device and follow the manufacturer’s and local hazardous-waste guidance.

Do Not Put Damaged Rechargeable Batteries in Ordinary Trash

Use the appropriate local disposal or recycling method.

Something Falls From a Wall

If a:

Shelf
Picture
Cabinet
Television mount

comes loose:

Keep people away from it.

Do Not Put It Back Immediately

First determine:

Why did it fail?

Possible reasons include:

Loose fastener
Wrong anchor
Damaged wall
Too much weight

Remove Remaining Danger

If something is still partially attached and may fall:

Keep the area clear.

Get appropriate help if you cannot safely remove or secure it.

Do Not Stand Under It While Investigating

Gravity does not pause for troubleshooting.

Furniture Starts to Collapse

If a:

Chair
Bed
Table
Shelf

becomes unstable:

Stop using it.

Do Not “See if It Holds”

If a chair leg is cracked:

You already have your answer.

Repair or replace it before normal use.

Door Lock Stops Working

If a door will not:

Lock
Unlock

you may have both an access and security problem.

Do Not Force the Key

A broken key inside the lock creates another repair.

If You Cannot Secure the Home

Treat the problem as more urgent.

Contact:

Property management
Locksmith
Appropriate repair help

Window Breaks

First keep people away from:

Broken glass
Unsecured opening

Protect the Area

Depending on the situation:

You may need to temporarily prevent:

Weather
People
Animals

from entering.

Do not create an unsafe improvised repair.

Arrange Proper Repair

A broken exterior window may also be:

Security issue
Weather issue

Handle it promptly.

Refrigerator Stops Cooling

This may not feel like an emergency.

But food can become unsafe.

First Check the Basics

Ask:

Is power on?
Is door closed?
Did breaker trip?
Is temperature control set appropriately?

Do not perform unsafe electrical repairs.

Keep the Door Closed

Avoid repeatedly opening it.

For extended loss of cooling, use current official food-safety guidance to determine what can safely be kept.

Protect Essential Medication

If medication requires refrigeration:

Follow the medication manufacturer’s, pharmacist’s, or healthcare provider’s storage guidance.

Do not assume it remains safe indefinitely.

Heating Stops During Dangerous Cold

Loss of heat can become a safety problem depending on:

Outdoor temperature
Household members
Duration

Contact the appropriate:

Property management
Heating professional
Emergency resource

as conditions require.

Do Not Use Unsafe Heating Methods

Do not use:

Outdoor grills
Generators
Other fuel-burning devices

inside a home for heat.

Carbon monoxide is a potentially deadly hazard from fuel-burning equipment, and Ready.gov emphasizes the need for carbon monoxide detection and safe emergency practices.

Air Conditioning Failure During Extreme Heat

For many people this is inconvenient.

For some:

Older adults
Young children
People with certain health conditions

extreme heat can become dangerous.

Use appropriate cooling alternatives and seek help when necessary.

Someone Gets Locked in a Room

First determine whether they are:

Safe
Able to communicate

Ordinary Lock Problem

If there is no immediate danger:

Use:

Authorized key
Property management
Locksmith

as appropriate.

Immediate Danger

If the person inside is:

Injured
Having a medical emergency
Exposed to fire or another hazard

treat the underlying emergency as the priority.

Pet-Related Minor Emergency

A pet may:

Break something
Get into food
Consume a household product
Become trapped

Do not assume human first-aid or poisoning guidance applies to animals.

Contact an appropriate veterinary or animal poison resource.

Broken Water Glass Near a Pet

Move the animal away first.

Then clean the glass.

Do not try to clean while the pet is walking through the area.

Something Spills on the Floor

A spill becomes a fall hazard.

Deal with it promptly.

Warn Other People

If you cannot clean it immediately:

Keep others away.

Clean Using the Correct Method

Water:

Straightforward.

Chemical:

Follow product guidance.

Broken container:

Protect against sharp edges.

Someone Gets Something in Their Eye

The correct response depends on what entered the eye.

For chemicals or possible toxic exposure:

Use appropriate poison or medical guidance promptly rather than improvising. Poison Control provides exposure-specific guidance for eye exposures.

Do Not Rub the Eye

Especially if:

Chemical
Particle

may be present.

Get appropriate guidance.

Nosebleed

Many nosebleeds are minor.

But bleeding that is:

Heavy
Persistent
Associated with serious injury

may require medical evaluation.

Use appropriate first-aid guidance.

Minor Household Emergency Kit

You do not need to prepare for the apocalypse.

You do need some basics.

Consider keeping:

First-aid supplies
Flashlights
Spare batteries
Basic tools
Work gloves
Fire extinguisher appropriate for your home
Emergency contact information
Towels
Bucket
Basic cleaning supplies

Helpful Resources: Browse Household Emergency Tools for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Keep Supplies Accessible

Emergency supplies are less useful when:

You cannot remember where they are.

Choose consistent storage locations.

Do Not Lock Everything Behind the Problem

For example:

Do not store your only flashlight in a room you cannot access during a power failure.

Think practically.

First-Aid Kit

A basic first-aid kit can help with ordinary:

Cuts
Scrapes
Minor injuries

Check it periodically.

Helpful Resources: Browse First Aid Kits for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Replace Used or Expired Supplies

After using something:

Restock it.

Otherwise the “first-aid kit” gradually becomes:

One adhesive strip and an instruction leaflet.

Keep Flashlights in More Than One Useful Place

For example:

Bedroom
Kitchen
Emergency kit

Know Where Your Shutoffs Are

It can be useful to know the locations of:

Main water shutoff
Electrical panel
Gas controls where appropriate

But do not operate equipment you do not understand.

Label Important Controls

Clear labeling can help you identify:

Water
Electrical circuits

during a problem.

Keep Emergency Contacts

Useful contacts may include:

Property management
Maintenance
Plumber
Electrician
Locksmith
Utility
Insurance
Trusted person

Save Them in Your Phone

Use clear names.

For example:

Apartment Emergency Maintenance

not:

Mike.

Keep a Paper Backup

If:

Phone dies
Power is out

a short printed contact list can help.

Know Your Address

During an emergency, you may need to give your location quickly.

Know your:

Street address
Apartment number

Teach Household Members

Everyone who is able should know:

Home address
Where exits are
Where emergency supplies are

Make a Fire Escape Plan

Ready.gov recommends identifying more than one way out of rooms when possible and practicing how household members will leave during a fire.

Choose a Meeting Place

Have a location outside where household members can meet after evacuation.

That helps determine whether everyone is out.

Do Not Re-enter to Look for Someone Without Direction

Tell emergency responders:

Who may still be inside.

Let trained responders act.

Learn Basic First Aid

You cannot predict which emergency will happen.

Basic first-aid training can prepare you for:

Burns
Bleeding
Choking
Other common emergencies

The Red Cross offers structured first-aid training covering these situations.

Practice Before You Need It

Trying to remember something you skimmed six months ago is much harder during an emergency.

Hands-on training can make responses more familiar.

Know Your Limits

You are not expected to:

Diagnose every injury
Repair every electrical problem
Fight every fire
Fix every plumbing emergency

Your job is to make a good first decision.

The First Decision Usually Matters Most

Ask:

Do Not Get Distracted by Property

In a real emergency:

People first.

Then property.

Document Damage After Everyone Is Safe

For:

Water damage
Fire damage
Broken property
Major leak

take photos when it is safe.

These may help with:

Insurance
Landlord
Repair

Do Not Re-enter an Unsafe Area for Photos

Documentation comes later.

Safety first.

If You Rent

Report significant problems promptly.

Depending on the situation, contact:

Landlord
Property manager
Emergency maintenance

Describe What Happened

For example:

“Water is leaking from underneath the kitchen sink. I shut off the fixture valve, and the leak has stopped.”

Specific information helps.

Tell Them About Safety Issues

Mention:

Water near electricity
Broken lock
Smoke
Structural damage

so they understand the urgency.

Keep a Record

For significant incidents, note:

Date
Time
What happened
Who you contacted
What they said

If You Own Your Home

You may need to coordinate:

Repair professional
Utility
Insurance

depending on the problem.

Prevent Secondary Damage

Once immediate safety is handled, ask:

“What could get worse if I do nothing?”

Examples:

Water continuing to leak
Broken window exposing home
Unstable shelf
Spoiling food

Address those next.

Do Not Rush Into Permanent Repairs

Sometimes the immediate goal is:

Stabilize.

Then:

Repair correctly.

Temporary Fix vs Permanent Fix

For example:

Bucket under small leak:

Temporary.

Repairing pipe:

Permanent.

Know the difference.

Do Not Let Temporary Become Permanent

A bucket under a leak for six months is not a plumbing system.

Follow up.

After the Emergency

Once everything is safe:

Ask:

“What caused this?”

Could It Happen Again?

Maybe:

Pipe was aging
Alarm battery was overdue
Rug caused fall
Shelf was overloaded
Chemical was stored poorly

Fix the cause.

Restock Supplies

Replace:

Bandages
Batteries
Cleaning supplies

you used.

Replace Damaged Safety Equipment

If an emergency involved:

Fire extinguisher
Smoke alarm
Other safety device

make sure appropriate protection is restored.

Repair the Original Problem

Do not stop at:

“We survived it.”

Make sure:

Leak
Electrical issue
Broken fixture

is actually repaired.

Update Your Emergency Plan

If you discovered:

“We had no idea where the water shutoff was”

find it now.

Add Missing Supplies

Maybe the emergency revealed you need:

Better flashlight
Basic first-aid kit
Bucket

Add them intentionally.

Do Not Buy Every Emergency Gadget on the Internet

Focus on things that are:

Useful
Appropriate
Easy to access

Preparedness does not require converting your apartment into a disaster-response warehouse.

Example: Small Cut While Cooking

Knife slips.

Small cut.

Action:

Stop cooking safely.

Address bleeding and clean/protect the minor wound using appropriate first aid.

Then:

Clean the work area before returning to cooking. For significant bleeding, escalate to appropriate emergency care.

Example: Minor Burn

Touch hot pan.

Action:

Move away from heat.

Cool the burn under clean, cool running water according to appropriate first-aid guidance.

Assess whether more care is needed.

Example: Glass Breaks

Glass falls.

Action:

Keep people and pets away.

Put on shoes.

Use appropriate tools to clean.

Check surrounding area.

Example: Sink Starts Leaking

Water appears under sink.

Action:

Move items away.

If you know the fixture shutoff and can safely use it:

Stop water.

Contain remaining water.

Contact maintenance or plumber.

Example: Major Leak Near Outlet

Water spreading toward electricity.

Action:

Do not walk through the water to unplug equipment.

Stay away.

Get appropriate emergency or professional assistance.

Example: Toaster Starts Smoking

Action:

Stop using it.

Disconnect power if safe.

Do not turn it back on.

Assess whether fire or electrical danger requires evacuation or emergency help.

Example: Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sounds

Action:

Treat it as a potential hazard.

Leave and follow the alarm manufacturer’s and local emergency guidance.

Do not simply remove the battery. Ready.gov emphasizes carbon monoxide detection because the gas can be deadly.

Example: Household Cleaner Swallowed

Action:

Do not guess or use an improvised home remedy.

Use an official poison-information service for product-specific instructions.

If the person collapses, has a seizure, cannot breathe normally, or cannot be awakened, seek emergency help immediately.

Example: Shelf Starts Pulling Out of Wall

Action:

Keep people away.

Remove weight only if it can be done safely.

Do not continue using shelf.

Repair correctly before reloading.

Example: Toilet Overflows

Action:

Do not flush again.

Stop incoming water if you know how.

Contain water.

Clean appropriately.

Call for help if the problem persists or involves a larger backup.

Example: Power Goes Out

Action:

Check whether outage appears widespread.

Use flashlight.

Protect phone battery.

Avoid unnecessary refrigerator and freezer opening.

Follow utility information for a longer outage.

Example: You Smell Gas

Action:

Do not investigate the source yourself.

Leave as appropriate and use the utility or local emergency procedure. Ready.gov advises following official instructions and avoiding unsafe re-entry when gas is suspected.

First 60 Seconds Checklist

When something happens:

□ Stop

□ Look for immediate danger

□ Move people away from danger

□ Decide whether you should leave

□ Shut something off only if safe

□ Get emergency help when necessary

□ Then deal with the property problem

Stay or Leave Checklist

Leave and get appropriate help when there is:

□ Significant fire or spreading smoke

□ Gas smell

□ Carbon monoxide alarm indicating danger

□ Serious electrical hazard

□ Serious injury

□ Dangerous chemical exposure

□ Structural danger

□ Any situation you cannot safely control

Minor Injury Checklist

For a minor injury:

□ Make scene safe

□ Address the immediate injury

□ Use appropriate first-aid guidance

□ Watch for signs that it is more serious

□ Get additional medical help when needed

Water Emergency Checklist

□ Identify source if safe

□ Stop water if you know how and can safely do so

□ Keep away from electrical hazards

□ Contain water

□ Move belongings if safe

□ Contact maintenance or plumber

□ Document significant damage afterward

Electrical Problem Checklist

□ Stop using item

□ Do not touch exposed wiring

□ Keep water away

□ Disconnect power only if safe

□ Do not repeatedly reset a persistent problem

□ Contact qualified help

Fire Checklist

□ Get people out if fire is not safely controllable

□ Use safe exit

□ Stay out

□ Get emergency help

□ Do not return for belongings

Ready.gov’s home-fire guidance emphasizes evacuation and remaining outside once you have escaped.

Chemical Exposure Checklist

□ Move away from exposure as appropriate

□ Identify product if safe

□ Keep container or label

□ Do not invent a remedy

□ Use official poison guidance

□ Seek emergency help for severe symptoms

Poison Control recommends case-specific expert guidance for possible poison exposures.

After the Emergency Checklist

□ Confirm everyone is safe

□ Contact landlord, repair professional, or insurer if needed

□ Photograph damage when safe

□ Record what happened

□ Complete permanent repair

□ Restock supplies

□ Fix the cause

Basic Home Emergency Supplies

Consider keeping:

□ First-aid kit

□ Flashlights

□ Batteries

□ Basic tool kit

□ Work gloves

□ Towels

□ Bucket

□ Appropriate fire extinguisher

□ Emergency contact list

□ Phone charger or power bank

Know-Your-Home Checklist

Know:

□ Main exits

□ Backup exit

□ Main water shutoff

□ Electrical panel location

□ Smoke alarm locations

□ Carbon monoxide alarm locations

□ Property-management emergency number if applicable

□ Where emergency supplies are stored

Ready.gov recommends planning escape routes and maintaining appropriate smoke and carbon monoxide detection as part of household preparedness.

The SAFE Decision Card

Common Mistakes

Avoid these common minor-emergency mistakes:

Treating every home problem as something you must fix yourself.
Staying inside to protect belongings during a serious fire.
Re-entering an unsafe home to retrieve possessions.
Ignoring a carbon monoxide alarm.
Investigating a suspected gas leak yourself.
Walking into water that may be electrically energized.
Pouring water on an electrical problem.
Repeatedly turning on an appliance that is smoking or sparking.
Grabbing broken glass with bare hands.
Continuing to use unstable furniture.
Mixing household chemicals.
Guessing what to do after a possible poisoning instead of getting product-specific expert guidance.
Using unsafe climbing or improvised repairs during a lockout or household problem.
Treating a bucket under a leak as a permanent repair.
Forgetting to restock emergency supplies after using them.
Solving the immediate problem but never fixing what caused it.

Handling a minor emergency at home does not require knowing how to personally solve every problem. It requires making the first few decisions well. Stop, look for danger, protect people first, safely stop or contain the problem when you can, and get qualified help when you cannot. A small cut, broken glass, leaking sink, or tripped breaker may be manageable. Fire, gas, carbon monoxide, serious injury, and major electrical hazards are different. Knowing when to switch from “I can handle this” to “I need help” is one of the most important household skills you can have.

Related Guides

This guide provides general education and does not replace individualized care from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.