Your Guide To Emergency Preparedness For Apartment Dwellers In Bloomington
When you reside in an apartment, you take general safety precautions every day, like securing your door when you depart. But you may not give as much consideration to larger-scale hazards like natural disasters. Storms, fires, and more can occur with little warning and result in widespread devastation. While apartments are built to endure natural forces, you still need to protect yourself. Use this guide to learn more about emergency preparedness for apartment dwellers in Bloomington and feel even safer where you live.
Be Prepared For Any Crisis With An Apartment Emergency Kit
In the event you need to take cover or evacuate swiftly, having a well-stocked apartment emergency kit in your Bloomington unit will make any urgent event a little easier. Designate a spot in your apartment to store a go-bag and other emergency supplies like these:
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Weather radio
- Vital medications and first aid kit
- Power bank or wireless charger
- Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food and water for three days
- Durable shoes and spare clothes
- Children's supplies
- Additional blankets
- Duplicates of essential documents in a waterproof bag
How To Be Prepared For An Apartment Fire In Bloomington
With a great number of Residents in one building, apartment fires can be especially destructive. Being prepared enhances your odds of avoiding harm.
Your property maintenance staff should veify that smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are operational in every apartment. Do not disconnect or tamper with these. Adhere to community fire rules and don’t use open flames inside. Avoid keeping things in hallways that could trip people during an evacuation. Have an exit strategy for everybody in your apartment.
If a minor fire starts in your apartment, follow basic guidelines for taking care of it with a fire extinguisher or water. Use the extinguisher, baking soda, or salt on grease fires.
If a fire gets big, evacuate immediately. Take the stairs and the nearest exit and distance yourself from the building before calling 911. Never prop open doors; they can bring in drafts that accelerate the fire. Do not go back inside to save possessions or people.
How To Stay Protected In Your Apartment During A Dangerous Storm
The Midwest may experience numerous tornadoes each year. Powerful winds and fierce thunderstorms can also threaten lives. You likely learned at a young age to take cover in a basement, but what can you do during a tornado in an apartment in Bloomington?
The best spots for apartment Residents are
- The lowest floor of an underground parking garage
- The first floor of your building, and far from windows
- A neighbor’s first-floor apartment
- Interior stairwells or halls without windows
- An interior room or closet of your apartment
- Below a solid table
- In the bathtub with a heavy blanket to help protect from debris
Put a construction hat, bicycle helmet, or pillow on your head. Never stand next to windows or near heavy objects that might topple onto you.
If your building sustains serious damage, evacuate as carefully as you can. As you exit, be cautious of gas leaks and damaged power lines. Walk or drive to a safe place.
How To Stay Safe In Your Apartment During Winter Storms
Winter weather can turn a lovely snow-covered day into a dangerious situation quickly. Pay attention to weather forecasts daily and be ready for harsh weather before it hits. Don’t stress yourself out, but stock up on necessities before a blizzard hits and make a plan for keeping warm in your apartment. Keep water dripping from your faucets to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.
Call your emergency maintenance number right away if your furnace stops working or you experience a burst pipe during freezing temperatures. If you lose power and heat during storm, follow these guidelines:
- Stay indoors
- Dress in layers of warm apparel and cover yourself in blankets
- Keep close watch of susceptible individuals for frostbite or hypothermia
Avoid using fuel-consuming appliances in your apartment to stay warm. They give off dangerous gases that collect inside.
Living With A Power Outage At Your Apartment In Bloomington
Everybody encounters a power outage occasionally. In most cases, your local utility company will reconnect your power within a couple of hours. However, a significant enough natural disaster may leave you with no power for many days or even weeks.
Your disaster supplies can help you navigate a power outage. But, the situation can become risky if you don’t have air conditioning or heat during extreme temperatures. In this case, vulnerable individuals should transfer to accommodations with power.
Adhere To These Food Safety And Cooking Recommendations
be cautious about rotting food. When losing power, avoid opening your fridge and freezer. Generally, food keeps in a shut refrigerator for up to 4 hours and a freezer for up to 2 days after power goes out. Use a cooler with ice if you can to keep essential food cool throughout the initial day of an outage.
Use these recommendations if you need to leave during a power failure at your apartment in Bloomington:
- Turn off any devices that might have been operating
- Ask neighbors to let you know when power comes back
- Be alert to downed power lines as you leave and call the utility company to report them
What To Do If Your Apartment Floods In Bloomington
If you reside close to a flood zone or river, you could encounter flooding after severe storms or if a dam fails. Watch for news updates and heed issued warnings. If an evacuation is needed, follow these steps:
- Disconnect all dry electrical devices.
- Rapidly collect the basics or get your emergency go-bag.
- Move items you want to save to higher spots.
- Proceed to a safe locale out of the flood zone.
- Never drive over submerged streets or wade into moving water.
In a worst-case scenario during heavy flooding, make every effort to make your way to the uppermost floor of your building or the roof.
How To Respond To An Earthquake In Your Apartment
Even though the Midwest isn’t a hotspot for earthquakes, you might feel a little rattle now and then! It doesn’t hurt to learn what to do if you have an earthquake in your apartment in Bloomington, as a precaution.
To make your apartment more earthquake ready, store larger and heavier possessions on bottom shelves. Refrain from hanging anything substantial above couches or beds. Fasten tall furniture like display cabinets to walls.
As soon as you detect the first tremors of an earthquake, drop to your knees and crawl to a door frame, under a solid table, or against an interior wall. Stay clear of windows, exterior doors, light fixtures, or anything that might fall. Protect your head with one hand and hold onto anything stable with the other. If you’re able to grab a pillow, put it on top of your head.
Once you believe the quake has ended, assess yourself and others for injuries. Listen to local news outlets for directions and brace yourself for aftershocks. Check your immediate surroundings for dangers like downed electrical lines, fires, or gas leaks. Extinguish fires and disable the power or gas if you it’s possible to do so safely. If you spot building damage, evacuate as safely and rapidly as possible.
Extra Emergency Preparedness Tips For Apartment Residents In Bloomington
An emergency can occur at any time. A few extra tips can help you deal with the unforeseen and stay protected:
- Rely on neighbors. Get to know those in your building so you know who else might be on site if a crisis unfolds. Discuss what supplies, protected shelter spots, or expertise you can all use in urgent situations.
- Make sure you have renters’ insurance.
- Avoid using an elevator to evacuate during a dangerous situation.
- Have a secure location to bring pets if you must evacuate to an emergency location.
- If a disaster renders your building uninhabitable, wait for communication from property employees before coming back.
- Use a portable radio or mobile phone to find local resources if you must evacuate.
Your Well-Being And Comfort Matter At City Flats on Tenth
We have no control over the weather, but we can offer you an incredible apartment living experience in Bloomington! City Flats on Tenth is known for our fantastic location, popular amenities, spacious floor plans, and responsive employees. Schedule a tour today and talk with one of our leasing agents about making City Flats on Tenth your new home.