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Safety — emergency escalation

Who to call, and in what order.

Not every emergency is a 911 emergency. But some are. Here’s the order H0U53 follows when escalating — and what to do while you wait.

Call 911 immediately

Leave the building first. Call from outside. Do not re-enter for property or pets unless directed by emergency responders.

Call your utility’s emergency line

Your utility’s emergency number is on your bill and is staffed 24/7. They will dispatch a technician and coordinate with emergency services if needed. Don’t use light switches, flames, or phones near a suspected gas leak — call from outside.

Call a 24-hour licensed trade

Most metro areas have 24-hour licensed plumbers, electricians, and HVAC techs. Expect a premium for after-hours work — pay it. Document everything (photos, time, who, cost) for insurance.

What to do while you wait

  1. 01Get everyone to safety, including pets if you can do so without re-entering an unsafe area.
  2. 02Shut off the immediate hazard if you can do so safely — water main, gas valve at the meter (if you have the wrench and know-how), or main breaker.
  3. 03Photograph + video the situation for insurance and for the pro.
  4. 04Note the time and what you observed — symptoms often change quickly.
  5. 05Don’t touch anything you wouldn’t want to be liable for.
  6. 06If you used the AI for triage, save the transcript.