First-hour property emergency checklists
What to do in the first hour of eight common property emergencies. Print this page and keep it with your flashlight. If anyone is in danger, call 911 first.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Published October 14, 2026 · Review standards
Burst pipe or water pouring in
- Shut off the main water valve. It is usually where the water line enters the building: basement, crawl space, garage, utility closet or near the water heater.
- If water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, do not walk through it. Turn off power to that area only from a dry spot, or call the utility.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain pressure from the pipes.
- Move valuables, electronics and documents out of the water’s path.
- Photograph the damage and the broken pipe before cleanup.
- Call 833-877-1717 to request a plumber and, if needed, water removal.
Do not: Do not use electrical appliances while standing in water. Do not use a torch to thaw a frozen pipe.
Sewage backing up
- Stop using every sink, toilet, shower, washer and dishwasher in the building.
- Keep children and pets away from the contaminated water.
- If sewage is near outlets or appliances, turn power off from a dry spot.
- Open windows if it is safe, for ventilation.
- Photograph the backup and note where it came up.
- Call 833-877-1717 for a plumber to clear the line and for sewage cleanup.
Do not: Do not clean sewage without gloves, boots and eye protection. Do not use chemical drain openers.
Water coming through the ceiling
- Keep everyone out from under a ceiling that sags or bulges.
- Turn off power to that room or the light fixtures there, from the panel, if water is near them.
- Put buckets and plastic sheeting under the drip; move furniture and electronics.
- Find the source if you safely can: a bathroom or appliance above, or the roof during rain.
- Shut off the water supply if a pipe or fixture is the source.
- Call 833-877-1717 to request a plumber, roofer or water-damage provider.
Do not: Do not poke a sagging ceiling while standing under it. Do not turn on lights in a room where water is dripping from fixtures.
Roof opened or leaking in a storm
- Stay off the roof. Wet, steep and damaged roofs cause serious falls.
- Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the utility or 911.
- Catch water inside, move belongings and keep people out of rooms below sagging ceilings.
- If a tree is on the house, stay out of the rooms beneath it.
- Photograph damage from the ground and inside, with the date.
- Call 833-877-1717 to request emergency roof tarping or repair.
Do not: Do not climb onto the roof to tarp it yourself. Do not run a generator indoors or in a garage.
Gas smell
- Leave the building right away. Get everyone, including pets, out.
- Do not switch lights or appliances on or off, use a phone inside, or start a car in an attached garage.
- From outside and well away, call the gas utility’s emergency number or 911.
- Do not go back inside until the utility or fire department says it is safe.
- After the utility clears it, a licensed professional repairs the gas line or appliance.
Do not: Do not try to find the leak yourself. Do not light anything.
Sparking outlet, burning smell or smoke
- If you see flames or smoke, get everyone out and call 911.
- If there is no fire, turn off the breaker for that circuit from a dry spot.
- Unplug nearby devices only if it is safe to touch them.
- Do not use the outlet, switch or fixture again until it is checked.
- Call 833-877-1717 to request an electrician.
Do not: Do not throw water on an electrical fire. Do not open the panel or remove outlet covers.
No heat in freezing weather
- Check the thermostat setting and batteries, and the furnace breaker and service switch.
- Keep pipes from freezing: open cabinet doors under sinks and let faucets on outside walls drip.
- Use only space heaters made for indoor use, at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, and never leave them unattended.
- Move people who are at risk, such as infants and older adults, somewhere warm if the home gets cold.
- Call 833-877-1717 to request heating repair.
Do not: Never use an oven, stove, grill or generator to heat the home. They can produce deadly carbon monoxide.
AC failure in extreme heat
- Check the thermostat, the AC breaker and the outdoor unit’s disconnect switch.
- Move people at higher risk, such as older adults, infants and people with health conditions, to a cooler place or a public cooling center.
- Drink water, close blinds, and use fans only if the room is not dangerously hot.
- Watch for heat illness. Confusion, fainting or hot, dry skin are signs of heat stroke: call 911.
- Call 833-877-1717 to request AC repair.
Do not: Do not open the outdoor unit or touch its capacitor or wiring. Do not add refrigerant yourself.
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Questions
What should I do first in any property emergency?
Make people safe first: leave for gas smells, fire or smoke, and call 911 for injuries. Then stop the damage, such as shutting off water, and document it before calling for repair.
Can I print and share these checklists?
Yes, free and unchanged, with the credit line “Source: RepairNowUSA.com”. Please do not edit the safety steps.