"Help! My House Is On Fire!"- La Jolla Home Inspector

Home values in La Jolla, California are among the highest in the nation, and with good reason. La Jolla is located only 15 minutes from San Diego, has one of the most beautiful and majestic coastlines in southern California, and boasts some of the finest weather in the world. It is known to be one of the most affluent communities in the United States.

As a La Jolla home inspector, and knowing the value of these homes, one of the most important things I can show my clients at their home inspection is the location of their emergency shut-offs. Disaster can strike in a moment. If a fire, flood, or major earthquake happens, you have only moments to take decisive action. A few seconds can be the difference between destruction or just a close call. So let me ask you, "In case of an emergency, do you know where your utility shut-offs are located, and what do they look like?"

Look at the exterior of your home (in most cases) for the following:
 
Electric:  The main circuit breaker will be located in the electrical service panel. It will shut off all power to your home. It is often labeled "Service Disconnect" or "Main".
 

Gas:  Depending on whether your home is serviced by natural gas or propane, look for these shut-offs:

(It is a good idea to attach an emergency shut-off wrench at these locations for quick access.)

Water:  The water shut-off will be located at the main water line coming into your residence. It will be located at one of these locations: the front or side of your home, in the garage, or in the water meter box by the street.

Steve Stenros, owner of First Choice Inspections, is a La Jolla home inspector. He is a CREIA certified inspector (CA Real Estate Inspection Assoc.) with the MCI designation (Master CREIA Inspector). As a client of First Choice Inspections, you can request to be placed on their email list where you will receive bi-weekly tech tips for easy repairs or improvements around your home. Steve can be reached for appointment at 888-335-3040.

Originally posted on ActiveRain.