By WMBD-TV
BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington police gun safe giveaway is encountering humidity problems.
According to a news release, the Sentry safes distributed were not intended for gun storage and can accumulate metal-damaging moisture inside.
BPD said the vendor never clarified the safes weren’t meant for gun storage, despite being notified of the intended use.
To circumvent some of these issues, the Bloomington police have released recommendations to protect firearms:
- Silica Gel Packs: Silica gel packs or desiccant packs can be placed inside the safe to
adsorb excess moisture and help maintain a dry environment. - Dehumidifier Rod: Consider investing in a dehumidifier rod specifically designed for
gun safes. These rods emit low levels of heat to raise the temperature inside the safe
slightly, which reduces humidity. - Regular Maintenance: Check your gun safe regularly and wipe down any condensation
or moisture that may accumulate. Make sure there is proper ventilation within the
storage area to allow for air circulation. - Monitor firearms: Check periodically for a change in condition and care for weapon
accordingly – clean and oil it as needed
The full news release from Bloomington Police can be found below:
Safe Giveaway Information
Bloomington, IL – We have recently become aware the gun safes given out by BPD were not, according to the manufacturer’s owner’s manual, intended for the storage of firearms. When these safes were purchased, Sentry made no mention of this model not being suitable for our intended use. Prior to purchasing the safes, the vendor was notified of our intended usage, but provided no information indicating the safes were not intended to store firearms.
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After discussing possible concerns, we have determined the key issue is moisture regulation in the safe. We understand the importance of maintaining the proper humidity levels to prevent rust and other potential damage to firearms. Our goal is to ensure that the safes provided to our residents meet the highest quality standards, including effective humidity control.
The Bloomington Police Department recommends some measures to lessen the humidity inside your safe:
1. Silica Gel Packs: Silica gel packs or desiccant packs can be placed inside the safe to adsorb excess moisture and help maintain a dry environment.
2. Dehumidifier Rod: Consider investing in a dehumidifier rod specifically designed for gun safes. These rods emit low levels of heat to raise the temperature inside the safe slightly, which reduces humidity.
3. Regular Maintenance: Check your gun safe regularly and wipe down any condensation or moisture that may accumulate. Make sure there is proper ventilation within the storage area to allow for air circulation.
4. Monitor firearms: Check periodically for a change in condition and care for weapon accordingly – clean and oil it as needed.
5. Sentry recommends the usage of Desiccant Packs to assist with moisture control inside the safe. The packs can be purchased on the Sentry safe website or other retailers. It should be noted, Sentry placed a pack in each safe during production.
We deeply apologize for any inconvenience or concern this may have caused. The Police Department values the residents of Bloomington, and your well-being and safety are of paramount importance to us.
