Ten fix-it skills every household should have.

1. 1

   Shut off the water main

   • Often by the meter or where the line enters
   • Round handle: turn clockwise until it stops
   • Lever handle: a quarter turn closes it
2. 2

   Gas off, only for a leak

   • Smell gas: get everyone out, call from outside
   • 12-inch wrench, quarter turn to crosswise, if safe
   • Leave it off; the utility turns it back on
3. 3

   Reset a tripped breaker

   • Unplug what was running on that circuit
   • Dry hands, stand to the side, push off then on
   • Trips again right away: stop, call an electrician
4. 4

   Know your pilot light

   • Pilot out: follow the owner's manual
   • Smell gas: do not relight; leave and call
   • After a meter shutoff, the utility relights them
5. 5

   Clear a drain, no chemicals

   • A plunger first for a stubborn clog
   • 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 cup vinegar, cover 15 min
   • Rinse with boiling water; repeat if needed
6. 6

   Patch a small drywall hole

   • Under half an inch: spackle and a putty knife
   • Smooth it, let it dry, sand lightly, paint
   • Up to 6 inches: a self-adhesive patch
7. 7

   Fix a running toilet

   • Dye in the tank; color in the bowl means a leak
   • Usually a worn flapper, a cheap rubber part
   • Water off, flush, swap it, leave a little chain slack
8. 8

   Change a tire

   • Flat lot or side street, hazards on, brake set
   • Loosen lug nuts before you jack the car
   • Tighten in a star pattern; spare under 50 mph
9. 9

   Jump-start a car

   • Red to dead plus, red to good plus, black to good minus
   • Last black clamp on bare metal, not the battery
   • Cracked or bulging battery: replace, don't jump
10. 10

    Use a fire extinguisher

    • Small fire, everyone out, 911 called, exit behind you
    • PASS: pull, aim low, squeeze, sweep side to side
    • Room filling with smoke: leave now

Find the valves today, label the panel this weekend, practice the rest once.