How do I store water in a small apartment?

Best options: (1) WaterBrick stackable 3.5-gallon containers fit in closets and under beds. (2) Standard 1-gallon water jugs from the grocery store stacked in a kitchen corner or closet. (3) A large travel duffel or waterproof bag with water pouches for your go-bag. Aim for 1 gallon per person per day. A 3-day supply for 2 people = 6 gallons.

What if I have to evacuate my apartment building quickly?

This is why a grab-and-go bag by your front door matters. In a building fire or sudden evacuation: grab your bag, your phone, your keys, and your medications. Everything else is replaceable. Know two stairwell exits. Wear shoes — broken glass and debris are common after disasters.

Should I buy renter's insurance?

Yes. Renter's insurance is inexpensive ($15–$30/month), covers your belongings if the building has a fire or you're burglarized, and critically — covers temporary housing costs if your unit becomes uninhabitable. Your landlord's insurance covers the building, not your stuff. Note: flood damage requires a separate flood policy.

What is the biggest mistake apartment renters make with emergency preparedness?

Not having a go-bag ready to grab in under 2 minutes. Apartment evacuations often have less warning than suburban home evacuations. You may have 60 seconds notice from a fire alarm. If your kit requires assembly, you'll leave without it.

Emergency Planner

Apartment Emergency Preparedness — emergencyplanner.com

https://emergencyplanner.com

Printed: 3/25/2026

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Apartment Emergency Preparedness: Small-Space Emergency Kit Guide

Apartment Emergency Preparedness: Small-Space Emergency Kit Guide

Apartment dwellers face a different set of preparedness challenges: limited storage, shared building systems, high-rise evacuation procedures, and no yard for water storage drums. But apartments also have advantages — shared emergency systems, closer neighbors, and typically less to protect. This guide is written specifically for apartment and condo residents.

Last reviewed: 2026-03-01 · Based on Ready.gov, NFPA, FEMA guidance

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Building Safety First

Apartment-specific steps that take priority over any supply list.

Know your building's evacuation plan and exit routescritical
Walk your evacuation route during the day so you know it in darkness. Count doors to the nearest two exits.
NFPA ↗
Know where the fire extinguisher is on your floorcritical
Know how to use the stairwell — never use elevators in a firecritical
Keep a flashlight by your bed (power fails during fires)critical
Meet your neighbors and establish a check-in plan
Your closest resource in an emergency is the person next door.
Test smoke and CO detectors monthlycritical
Renters: your landlord must provide functioning detectors. Battery-operated backups are good to have.
Know how to report a gas leak to your building manager and utilitycritical

Space-Smart Water Storage

No room for 55-gallon drums — here are compact alternatives.

WaterBrick stackable 3.5-gallon containers(3 per adult (covers 3 days))critical
Designed to stack in closets. Rectangular shape uses space more efficiently than round jugs.
Ready.gov ↗
Stackable 1-gallon water jugs in closet or under sinkcritical
Grocery store water jugs work fine. Store in a cool, dark location.
Water purification tablets as backup
If stored water is insufficient, tablets purify tap water in emergency. Very compact.
LifeStraw or portable filteroptional
For evacuation scenarios where you can't carry enough water.

Compact Kit Storage Solutions

Apartment-appropriate storage strategies.

Under-bed wheeled storage bin for main supplies
Most beds have 8–12 inches of clearance. A wheeled bin lets you grab everything and roll it out quickly.
Backpack go-bag (grab-and-go in under 2 minutes)critical
Primary evacuation kit. Lives by the front door or in a coat closet.
Shelf-stable food stored in kitchen cabinets (rotate into normal meals)critical
Canned goods in kitchen are already part of your emergency supply if rotated. No separate storage needed.
Car trunk kit (if you have car access)
Doubles as emergency supply that's always with you.

Essential Supplies (Apartment-Scaled)

Non-perishable food: 3-day supply per personcritical
Compact options: meal bars, peanut butter, tuna packets, instant oatmeal. Avoid bulky canned goods if storage is very limited.
Ready.gov ↗
Battery power bank (20,000 mAh)critical
Most important single purchase. Compact but charges phone multiple times.
Flashlight + batteriescritical
Battery or hand-crank NOAA weather radiocritical
First aid kitcritical
Prescription medications: 7-day supplycritical
Important documents (waterproof storage)critical
Cash in small billscritical
N95 masks (for wildfire smoke or building air quality events)
Warm blanket (vacuum-seal bag to save space)
Vacuum storage bags compress bulky blankets to 1/4 their size.

Shelter-in-Place Planning

When you're told to stay in your apartment.

Plastic sheeting and tape (to seal windows for air quality events)
During wildfire smoke or chemical events. One small window costs about 30 min to seal.
Towels to seal door gaps during hallway smokecritical
In a high-rise fire, if smoke is in the hallway: stay in your unit, seal the door, signal from window or balcony.
Know your building's HVAC system type (central air pulls in outdoor air)
Turn off HVAC during outdoor air quality events — it can bring contaminated air inside.

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Detailed Guidance

High-Rise Fire Evacuation: Different Rules from House Fires

High-rise buildings (7+ floors) have different fire dynamics and evacuation rules: STAY vs. GO: - If the fire is NOT on your floor: shelter in place may be safer than evacuating through smoke-filled stairwells. Wait for instructions. - If the fire IS on your floor or you're told to evacuate: use the stairs only. Never use elevators. If you must evacuate: 1. Feel the door with the back of your hand before opening — if hot, don't open. 2. Close all doors behind you (slows fire spread significantly). 3. Stay low in smoke-filled stairwells. 4. Count floors as you descend — exit signs may be obscured. If you can't evacuate safely: 1. Stay in your unit with the door closed. 2. Seal door gaps with towels. 3. Signal from a window or balcony for rescue. 4. Call 911 and give your exact floor and unit number. Practice your building's plan before you need it. Source: NFPA, Ready.gov

Renter's Rights After a Disaster

If your apartment is damaged or uninhabitable after a disaster: 1. Your landlord must make the unit habitable within a reasonable time or release you from the lease (in most states). 2. If the unit becomes uninhabitable due to a disaster, many states allow lease termination without penalty. 3. Renter's insurance: a basic policy typically costs $15–$30/month and covers: personal property damage (from fire, water, theft), temporary housing costs if your unit is uninhabitable, and liability. 4. Renter's insurance typically does NOT cover flood damage — a separate flood policy is available through FEMA's NFIP. 5. Document all damage with photos immediately before starting cleanup. If your building is red-tagged by inspectors after a disaster: - Do NOT re-enter until cleared. - Contact your local emergency management office about temporary housing assistance. - Contact FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov if a federal disaster is declared.