Your Guide To Emergency Preparedness For Apartment Dwellers In Bloomington
When you live in an apartment, you take basic safety measures daily, like securing your door when you leave. But you might not give as much thought to major risks like natural disasters. Fires, tornadoes, and more may occur with minimal warning and cause devastation. While apartment buildings are constructed to endure environmental forces, you still must take steps to ensure your safety. Use this guide to learn more about emergency preparedness for apartment dwellers in Bloomington and be ready for any urgent event.
Get Ready For Anything With An Apartment Emergency Kit
Whether you need to shelter in place or evacuate quickly, having a well-prepared apartment emergency kit in your Bloomington home will make any urgent event more manageable. Designate a spot in your apartment to store a go-bag and other emergency supplies including:
- Flashlights
- Additional batteries
- Weather radio
- Vital medications and first aid kit
- Power bank or wireless phone charger
- Water and non-perishable, no-cook food for three days
- Supportive shoes and additional clothes
- Child necessities
- Spare blankets
- Copies of essential documents in a waterproof bag
How To Be Ready For An Apartment Fire In Bloomington
With so many Residents in a single building, apartment fires can become especially deadly. Taking precautions increases your probability of avoiding harm.
Your community maintenance staff should ensure that fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are operational in each unit. Do not disconnect or tamper with these. Abide by community fire rules and abstain from using open flames inside. Avoid keeping belongings in hallways that could be in the way during an evacuation. Establish an escape plan for your household.
If a less intense fire breaks out in your apartment, adhere to basic guidelines for taking care of it with a fire extinguisher or water. Utilize the extinguisher, salt, or baking soda on grease fires.
If a fire gets big, evacuate at once. Take the stairs and the nearest exit and move away from the building before calling 911. Never prop open doors; they can let in drafts that help spread fire. Refrain from going back in to collect belongings or others.
How To Shelter In Your Apartment During A Severe Storm
The Midwest often gets a great many tornadoes every year. Powerful winds and severe thunderstorms can also threaten lives. You may have learned at a young age to seek shelter in a cellar, but what can you do during a tornado in an apartment in Bloomington?
The safest spots for apartment ocupants are
- The sub-level of an underground parking garage
- The first floor of your building, and away from windows
- A bottom-floor neighbor’s apartment
- Interior hallways or stairwells without windows
- A closet or interior room of your apartment
- Underneath a heavy table
- Within the bathtub with a thick blanket for protection
Wear a bicycle helmet, hard hat, or pillow on your head. Never stand by windows or near large objects that might fall on top of you.
If your building experiences significant damage, evacuate as safely as you can. As you exit, be alert for damaged power lines and gas leaks. Drive or walk to a safe location.
How To Stay Safe In Your Apartment During Winter Storms
Winter weather can quickly turn a an enchanting winter scene into a treacherous situation. Pay attention to weather forecasts throughout the season and be prepared for inclement weather before it comes. Don’t get stressed out, but stock up on essentials before a blizzard strikes and make a plan for keepin comfortable in your apartment. Keep water dripping from faucets to minimize the risk of frozen pipes.
Call your emergency maintenance hotline immediately if you encounter a burst pipe or your furnace dies during winter weather. If you lose heat and power during a winter storm, adhere to these recommendations:
- Stay inside
- Dress in layers of warm clothing and bundle up in blankets
- Keep close watch of sensitive individuals for hypothermia or frostbite
Never use fuel-burning appliances inside your apartment to keep warm. They release toxic gases that accumulate inside.
Living With A Power Outage At Your Apartment In Bloomington
We all encounter a power outage now and then. In most cases, your local power company will bring back power within two or three hours. With that being said, a large enough natural disaster may leave you without power for days or possibly weeks.
Your disaster supplies can help you get through a power outage. But, conditions can get hazardous if you lack air conditioning or heat during extreme temperatures. In this case, frail individuals should transfer to somewhere with power.
Abide By These Cooking And Food Safety Recommendations
be cautious about food that has spoiled. When losing power, don’t open your refrigerator and freezer. Typically, food remains safe in a shut refrigerator for up to 4 hours and a freezer for 24-48 hours after losing power. Use a cooler with ice if possible to maintain essential food throughout the first day of an outage.
Here’s what you should do if you depart during a blackout at your apartment in Bloomington:
- Shut off any devices that might have been running
- Encourage neighbors to let you know when power is back on
- Watch for downed power lines as you exit and call the utility company to report them
What To Do If Your Apartment Floods In Bloomington
If you live near a flood zone or river, you could face flooding after severe storms or if a dam fails. Watch for news alerts and take note of any orders for evacuation. If an evacuation is needed, follow these steps:
- Unplug all dry electrical appliances.
- Swiftly collect your bare necessities or get your emergency go-bag.
- Move belongings you wish to save to higher areas.
- Proceed to a safer location out of the flood zone.
- Don’t drive through flooded areas or wade into floodwaters.
In a dire situation during heavy flooding, make every effort to make your way to the uppermost floor of your building or the rooftop.
How To React To An Earthquake In Your Apartment
Even though the Midwest isn’t hotbed for earthquakes, we get a little shake from time to time! It’s smart to understand what to do if you experience an earthquake in your apartment in Bloomington, as a precaution.
First, store large or heavy items on the lowest shelves. Avoid hanging anything substantial over couches or beds. Secure tall items like display cabinets to walls.
If you feel the first rumbles of an earthquake, go to the ground and make your way to a door frame, below a solid furnishing, or beside an interior wall. Stay clear of light fixtures, windows, exterior doors, or anything at risk of falling. Cover your head with one hand and hold onto something secure with the other. If you can grab a pillow, place it on top of your head.
Once it appears the quake has ended, examine yourself and others for injuries. Tune in to local media for guidance and ready yourself for aftershocks. Inspect your close surroundings for threats like damaged power lines, fires, or gas leaks. Put out fires and turn off the gas and power if you you can do so without risk. If you see damage to your building, evacuate as safely and swiftly as possible.
Other Emergency Preparedness Tips For Apartment Residents In Bloomington
Disaster can strike at any moment. A few more recommendations can help you handle the unexpected and remain safe:
- Rely on neighbors. Get to know others in your building so you have an idea who else might be on site if disaster strikes. Chat about what supplies, safe shelter locations, or expertise you can share in emergencies.
- Make sure you carry renters’ insurance.
- Avoid using an elevator to evacuate during an emergency.
- Have a safe spot to bring pets if you need to evacuate to an emergency relief center.
- If an emergency makes your building uninhabitable, wait for communication from property employees before coming back.
- Utilize a battery-powered radio or cell phone to discover local resources if you must evacuate.
Your Well-Being And Comfort Are A Priority At City Flats on Walnut
We can’t change the weather, but we can offer you an exceptional apartment lifestyle in Bloomington! City Flats on Walnut is recognized for our spacious apartments, popular amenities, fantastic location, and helpful staff. Take a tour today and speak with one of our leasing agents about making City Flats on Walnut your future home.