Every family member should know the location of your home’s main shutoff valve along with the shutoff for each fixture and appliance, and how to operate them. This shutoff valve is usually in a basement, crawlspace or utility closet, but it depends on your house’s unique setup.

If the shutoff valve runs in line with the pipe, your water is on and running. To turn it off, turn the value crosswise to the pipe and close off the water flow. Another way to read your valve is to look at is the notches on the valve your water department uses to lock the meter: if the notches line up so a lock can go through them, the water is off. You can turn most valves with pliers, channel locks or vice grips if you can’t with your hands.

If the main shutoff fails or you have a leak outside of the house, you’ll need to shut down the water meter directly. It’s too deep to reach with pliers or channel locks, so it takes a meter key instead. If you don’t have one, pick one up at your local hardware store. It never hurts to be prepared!