Your Guide To Emergency Preparedness For Apartment Dwellers In West Lafayette
When you reside in an apartment, you take simple safety measures daily, like locking up when you go out. But you may not give as much thought to larger-scale risks like natural disasters. Storms, fires, and more may happen with little warning and lead to a chaotic situation. While apartments are built to withstand natural elements, you still have to take steps to ensure your safety. Follow this guide to discover more about emergency preparedness for apartment dwellers in West Lafayette and feel more secure where you live.
Prepare Yourself For Any Crisis With An Apartment Emergency Kit
In the event you need to take cover or evacuate quickly, having a well-stocked apartment emergency kit in your West Lafayette abode will make any emergency easier to manage. Designate a spot in your apartment to stow a go-bag and other emergency supplies including:
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Weather radio
- First aid kit and essential medications
- Wireless phone charger or power bank
- Non-perishable, cookless food and water for three days
- Supportive shoes and spare clothes
- Child necessities
- Extra blankets
- Photocopies of essential documents in a waterproof bag
How To Prepare For An Apartment Fire In West Lafayette
With so many Residents in one building, apartment fires can be especially deadly. Being ready improves your probability of coming out unscathed.
Your apartment maintenance staff should ensure that fire extinguishers and fire alarms work in each unit. Do not disable these. Abide by community fire rules and don’t use open flames indoors. Avoid keeping belongings in hallways that could trip people during an evacuation. Establish an escape plan for everyone in your apartment.
If a small fire starts in your apartment, follow recommended guidelines for extinguishing it with a fire extinguisher or water. When dealing with, employ baking soda, the extinguisher, or salt.
If a fire spreads, evacuate at once. Take the stairs and the nearest exit and move away from the structure before dialing 911. Never prop open doors; they will let in drafts that accelerate the fire. Do not go back inside to save things or other Residents.
How To Shelter In Your Apartment During A Strong Storm
The Midwest may see numerous tornadoes annually. Intense thunderstorms and high winds can also be dangerous. You probably learned at an early age to take cover in a basement, but what should you do during a tornado in an apartment in West Lafayette?
The safest spots for apartment ocupants are
- The lowest floor of an underground parking garage
- The ground floor of your building, and away from windows
- A neighbor’s ground-floor apartment
- Interior stairwells or halls without windows
- An interior room or closet of your apartment
- Below a solid table
- Inside the bathtub with a thick blanket to help protect you
Wear a hard hat, bicycle helmet, or pillow on your head. Don’t stand by windows or near heavy objects that might fall on top of you.
If your building suffers severe damage from a storm, evacuate as safely as possible. As you exit, be cautious of gas leaks and downed power lines. Walk or drive to a safe location.
How To Stay Protected In Your Apartment During Winter Storms
Winter storms can turn a lovely snow-covered day into a dangerious situation rapidly. Pay attention to weather forecasts throughout the season and be prepared for inclement weather before it comes. Don’t stress yourself out, but gather essentials before a severe weather strikes and have a strategy for keepin comfortable in your apartment. Allow water to drip from faucets to help prevent pipes from freezing.
Call your emergency maintenance number promptly if you encounter a burst pipe or your furnace stops working during freezing temperatures. If you lose heat and power during a winter storm, follow these tips:
- Stay indoors
- Wear layers of warm clothing and bundle up in blankets
- Keep close watch of sensitive individuals for frostbite or hypothermia
Never use fuel-consuming appliances in your apartment to keep yourself warm. They give off dangerous gases that collect inside.
Dealing With A Power Outage At Your Apartment In West Lafayette
Everyone encounters a power outage occasionally. In most cases, your local power company will reconnect your power within a few hours. With that being said, a large enough natural disaster can leave you with no power for days or longer.
Your emergency supplies can help you survive a power outage. Even so, the situation can get dangerous if you don’t have heat or air conditioning during harsh temperatures. If this happens, frail individuals should move to somewhere with power.
Follow These Cooking And Food Safety Recommendations
be cautious about spoiled food. When your power is out, resist opening your fridge and freezer. As a general rule, food keeps in a shut refrigerator for 4 hours and a freezer for 1-2 days after a power failure. Use a cooler and ice if you can to keep essential food cool throughout the first day of an outage.
Use these suggestions if you leave home during a power failure at your apartment in West Lafayette:
- Turn off anything that might have been on
- Have neighbors notify you when power is restored
- Watch for downed power lines as you leave and call the utility company to report them
What To Do If Your Apartment Floods In West Lafayette
If you are located near a river or flood zone, you may experience a flood after heavy rainfall or if a dam is breached. Watch for news alerts and heed any orders for evacuation. If you have to evacuate, adhere to these steps:
- Disconnect all dry electrical devices.
- Swiftly pack necessary items or grab an emergency go-bag.
- Move essentials and precious items to elevated areas.
- Proceed to a secure location away from the flood zone.
- Avoid driving across flooded roads or step into flowing water.
In a dire situation during flash flooding, do all you can to make your way to the top story of your building or the rooftop.
What To Do If There’s An Earthquake In Your Apartment
Even though the Midwest isn’t a hotspot for earthquakes, you might feel a little rattle from time to time! It’s a good idea to understand what to do if you experience an earthquake in your apartment in West Lafayette, just to be safe.
As a preparation, stow large or heavy belongings on lower shelves. Don’t hang anything substantial above beds or sitting areas. Secure tall furniture like bookshelves to walls.
If you notice the first rumbles of an earthquake, drop to your knees and make your way to a door frame, below a sturdy furnishing, or against an interior wall. Stay away from windows, exterior doors, light fixtures, or anything that could fall. Shield your head with one hand and hold onto something stable with the other. If you can snag a pillow, put it on top of your head.
When you believe the rattling has stopped, examine yourself and roomates for injuries. Pay attention to local news outlets for directions and ready yourself for aftershocks. Survey your immediate surroundings for risks like fire, downed power lines, or gas leaks. Extinguish fires and disable the gas and power if you you are able to do so without putting yourself at risk. If you see building damage, evacuate your building as carefully and swiftly as possible.
Additional Emergency Preparedness Recommendations For Apartment Residents In West Lafayette
Disaster can arise at any moment. A few extra tips can help you manage the unexpected and remain safe:
- Collaborate with neighbors. Get acquainted with those in your building so you have an idea who else might be on site if a crisis unfolds. Chat about what supplies, secure shelter spots, or skills you can use in urgent events.
- Make sure you have renters’ insurance.
- Avoid using an elevator for evacuation during an emergency.
- Arrange a safe spot to bring pets if you have to evacuate to an emergency location.
- If an emergency renders your building unsafe, don’t return until you get an update from property employees.
- Access a portable radio or mobile phone to locate local resources if you have to evacuate.
Your Well-Being And Comfort Matter At Continuum Apartments
We have no control over the weather, but we can give you an outstanding apartment experience in West Lafayette! Continuum Apartments is noted for our popular amenities, great location, open floor plans, and helpful team. Schedule a tour today and talk to one of our leasing specialists about making Continuum your future home.