Ready For Unsteady

Ready For Unsteady logo – emergency preparedness for everyday life
Ready For Unsteady logo – emergency preparedness for everyday life

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Apartment Resilience

Renters may have limited control over building infrastructure, but apartment prepping and resilience start with what is in your hands: secure your space, stock essential supplies, and build strong community connections to boost safety and support during a disaster.

Short-Term Preparation

  • Basic supplies for minimum of 72 hours: Water, non-perishable food that can be eaten without cooking, manual can opener, first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, mylar bags.
  • Water: Even in small spaces, it is important to have at least a 3-day supply of water for each person in your household. See Water Storage & Filtration below for different ways to store.
  • Communication: A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra phone chargers, solar-powered portable power bank, and a physical copy of important contact information.
  • Personal items: Medications (cold/flu, pain/anti-inflammatory, allergy, stomach), glasses, toiletries, and any other essential items. Portable hiking oxygen is wise for situations where breathing may be impaired.
  • Hardcopy maps: Relying on digital maps might not be possible, so have physical maps on hand if evacuation is required. You can request free maps from state tourism sites – see the full list of state sites here.

Water Storage

  • Under-bed “flat pack”: Slide low totes or under-bed drawers filled with 2-L bottles or slim 2–3 gal rectangular containers. Label ends so you can see dates.
  • Furniture that hides water: Fill a storage ottoman/bench or the bottom of a wardrobe with 1-L bottles. They double as ballast and are easy to rotate.
  • Behind the couch/TV stand/bed: Line up  containers along the wall—out of sight, on the floor (not shelves).
  • Closet: Store 1-gallon jugs along the closet’s back wall beneath hanging clothes.
  • Luggage you rarely use: Park sealed 1-gal jugs inside suitcases/duffels; label the jugs or tape a note inside the handle with the date they were added.
  • Kitchen verticals: Repurpose a wine rack for 1-L bottles; or stash stackable jugs on the pantry floor instead of the top shelf (safer/less load).
  • Under-sink (if cool): A short row of 1-L bottles fits in front of plumbing; keep away from chemicals.
  • Entry bench/shoe cabinet: Bottom shelf can hold several liters behind a row of shoes.
  • Freezer & fridge: Freeze a few 80–90% full plastic bottles (leave headspace). They keep food cold during outages and become drinking water as they melt.

Additional Water Storage

  • Use collapsible water containers that store flat and don’t take up much space. If you have a bathtub, consider a bathtub bladder that can hold up to 100 gallons.
  • Fill these when there are official watches/warnings (hurricane, severe winter storm, boil-water advisory) or credible outage risk.
  • Fill with cold tap (already chlorinated in most cities). If you’re on well water or unsure, sanitize containers first and dose with the correct amount of unscented household bleach or purification tablets, then label with date + “drinking” or “utility.”

Example layout (2 people = 6 gallons)

  • Under bed: two 2-gal flats (4 gal)
  • Ottoman: four 1-L bottles (≈1 gal)
  • Freezer: two 1-L bottles frozen (≈0.5 gal meltwater)
  • Closet floor: three 1-L bottles (≈0.75 gal)

Total ≈ 6.25 gal plus 8L collapsible containers or a tub liner ready to fill for surge capacity.

Pre-filtering (Make the water as clear as possible)

  • Coffee filters: help remove sediment and make the water clearer
  • Clean tight-weave cloth (pantyhose, mesh produce bag): to remove silt before any treatment and helps chemicals/UV work better.
  • Layered bottle pre-filter: inverted bottle with cloth → fine clean sand → cloth. Slows flow but reduces cloudiness; still disinfect afterward.

Filtering (Remove as many contaminants as possible)

  • Boil method: After pre-filtering, bring to a rolling boil for at least 3 minutes. Let cool completely.
  • Squeeze/inline microfilter (e.x. Sawyer Mini/Squeeze): Removes bacteria & protozoa; viruses may pass, so pair with chemical/UV for full protection. 
  • Unscented household bleach (small unopened bottle + eyedropper): fast emergency disinfectant for clear water: 8 drops per gallon of 5–6% bleach or 6 drops per gallon of 8.25%; double for cloudy/very cold water; let stand 30 minutes. Use fresh (<1 year old) bleach.
  • UV purifier pen: tiny and rechargeable; great after pre-filtering to handle viruses. Cloudy water needs pre-filtering first.

Post-Filtering (Improve taste and shelf life)

  • Water Purification tablets: lightweight, long shelf life. Will keep clean stored water safe for long periods of time.
  • Pinch of salt: add to purified water to improve taste.
  • Aeration: Pour purified water from one clean container to another a few times to improve taste (especially boiled or chlorinated).
  • Interior: Determine the safest room in your apartment, preferably one without windows.
  • Count doorways to exits – in smoky conditions, you may need to crawl while counting doors to stay on path.  
  • If you’re between 2nd-5th floors, consider a portable emergency escape ladder.
  • Exterior: Familiarize yourself with emergency exits, the nearest emergency shelters and evacuation routes. 
  • Car: Keep your gas tank full, over 1/2 full at all times if possible. Keep an extra water bottle and granola bars/portable food, and if in a cold-prone area, a blanket and warm clothing
  • Important documents: Keep copies of essential documents (passport, birth certificate, insurance policies) in a waterproof container.
  • Electronics: Avoid overloading circuits and invest in surge protectors.
  • Breakable items: store in closed cabinets with latches. 
  • Secure Heavy Furniture: Anchor bookshelves, TVs, and large items to prevent tipping. 
  • Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries yearly.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket that is easily accessible but not too close to the stove (you’ll need access if there is a small kitchen fire)
  • Know where the building’s gas, water, and electricity shutoffs are located. 
  • Know how to shut off water under your sinks/toilet to prevent flooding.
  • Store food in sealed containers to avoid attracting pests. 
  • Use dehumidifiers in damp areas to prevent mold. 
  •  Fill your bathtub, sink, and containers at the first sign of an emergency. 
  • Local news: Stay updated on local weather and emergency alerts. Rely on multiple sources of information to verify accuracy. 
  • FEMA App: Download the FEMA app for location-based alerts.
  • Emergency plans: If possible, have a plan in place with a family member or friend who lives outside of a heavily populated area.

Long-Term Preparation

  • Regularly check and rotate food, water, and medical supplies to maintain freshness and usability over time
  • Organize or join building-wide emergency planning efforts. 
  • Encourage management to provide clear emergency protocols, maintain  safety equipment, and designate community resilience spaces if possible. 

If plumbing isn’t available during an emergency, having a simple sanitation plan helps reduce health risks and stress. There are low-cost, small-space solutions that can be effective when systems fail.

Apartment-friendly basics:

  • Use a lined bucket with a tight lid as a temporary toilet
  • Add absorbent material (cat litter, sawdust, shredded paper) after each use
  • Store heavy-duty trash bags, gloves, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper together
  • Double-bag waste and dispose of it only at approved collection points when available

Planning ahead keeps sanitation manageable, even in small homes without room for bulky equipment.

  • Neighbors: Exchange contact information with your neighbors and know their skills.   A nurse, handyman, or mechanic nearby could be lifesaving. 
  • Designate a meeting spot with neighbors in the event of an evacuation.
  • Join or start a building emergency group (ex. WhatsApp chat). 
  • Emergency contacts: Update your emergency contacts, keep printed copies, and share your location with family and friends.
  • Know how to shut off utilities (entire building if possible).
  • Learn first aid, basic repairs, and alternate cooking methods.
  • Practice evacuating with your supplies — use a rolling duffel or backpack if stairs are the only option.

Supply List

Download Apartment Supply List Here

Core basics (72 hours)

  • Water (1 gal per person, per day, see Water Storage & Filtration below)
  • Non-perishable, no-cook food (1,800 caloreis/person per day, see Shelf-Stable foods below)
  • Manual can opener
  • Disposable cutlery
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight/headlamps (easeir to work hands-free)
  • Batteries
  • Mylar bags

Communication & power

  • Battery-powered and/or hand-crank radio
  • Extra phone chargers
  • Solar-powered portable power bank
  • Physical copy of important contact information

Personal items

  • Medications: cold/flu, pain/anti-inflammatory, allergy, stomach aids
  • Prescription meds
  • Extra glasses/contacts
  • Toiletries (see Sanitation & Waste Management below)
  • Portable hiking oxygen (for situations where breathing may be impaired)

Navigation

  • Download offline maps
  • Hardcopy maps (don’t rely on digital only). Request free maps from state tourism sites here.
  • Compass

Minimum 1 weeks’ worth of:

  • Proteins: Tuna/chicken pouches or cans, meat jerky, nut/seed butters, canned beans, meal/protein shakes, shelf-stable hummus
  • Carbs & ready sides: crackers, rice cakes, tortillas/flatbreads, granola, energy/protein bars, instant oatmeal, ready-to-eat rice or grain pouches, fig bars, sandwich crackers
  • Fruits & veggies: dried fruit (raisins, apricots, mango), applesauce/fruit cups, canned fruit/vegs, pickles/olives, vegetable juice
  • Dairy & alternatives: shelf-stable milk boxes, shelf-stable cheeses (waxed minis, parmesan wedge), ghee or shelf-stable butter packets
  • Complete “open-and-eat” meals: chili, baked beans, soups, tuna-and-cracker kits, peanut-butter kits MREs
  • Hydration & extras: electrolyte drink powder sticks, coconut water, honey, jam, nutella packets, hard candy/chocolate (quick calories, morale)
  • Babies & pets: infant formula & purée pouches, canned/wet pet food, pet treats

Core containers

  • 1-L water bottles (for easy rotation)
  • 2-L water bottles
  • Slim 2–3 gal rectangular containers (“flats” for under-bed)
  • 1-gal jugs
  • Stackable jugs/bricks (for lining along walls)

Storage helpers (hide in plain sight)

  • Low under-bed totes/drawers
    Storage ottoman/bench
    Wardrobe/closet floor space (back wall)
  • Suitcases/duffels (for stashing sealed 1-gal jugs)
  • Entry bench/shoe cabinet (bottom shelf)

Surge capacity (fill only on warnings)

  • 8L/2gal collapsible water containers (store flat)
  • Bathtub bladder/liner (up to ~100 gal)

Labeling & dosing

  • Labels or painter’s tape
  • Permanent marker

Pre-filtering

  • Coffee filters
  • Clean tight-weave cloth (ex, pantyhose, mesh produce bag)
  • Clean empty bottle
  • Clean fine sand

Filtering 

  • Squeeze/inline microfilter (ex. Sawyer Mini/Squeeze)
  • Unscented household bleach (5–6% or 8.25%)
  • Eyedropper
  • UV purifier pen

Post-filtering 

  • Water purification tablets
  • Salt
  • Clean containers for aeration

Personal Hygiene

  • Body/face wipes
  • Hand sanitizer gel packets
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Deodorant wipes
  • Toothpaste tablets or single-use sachets
  • Travel toothbrush
  • Floss picks
  • Mouthwash strips
  • No-rinse shampoo cap or dry shampoo mini
  • Feminine care: extra pads/tampons or menstrual cup

Waste Management

  • WAG bags (waste kits with gelling/odor control) — at least 1 per person per day if toilet use is uncertain.
  • TP mini-roll or extra compressed towels
  • Nitrile gloves
  • Small trash bags
  • Bidet/peri-bottle cap that fits a regular water bottle (turns it into a squeeze bidet)
  • Bucket/small garbage bin (to turn into makeshift toilet if necessary)

Outdoor protection

  • Sunscreen packets
  • Insect repellant wipes
  • Bug Bite Thing (mitigates itchiness/swelling, can remove stingers/splinters)

All Hazards

  • Headlamps (hands-free) + spare batteries
  • High-visibility whistle (pea-less)
  • Work gloves
  • Hard-soled shoes
  • Waterproof phone pouch + lanyard
  • Dry bags / heavy zip bags for IDs, meds, cash, spare keys
  • Small pry bar/crowbar (15–18″) for stuck doors/frames
  • Duct tape (seal minor drafts)

Flood-Prone

  • Life jackets or flotation devices for each person (pets too)
  • Throw rope/throw bag (for controlled self-belay across short, shallow obstructions)
  • Closed/toe water shoes
  • Chemical light sticks (work when wet)
  • Reflective “HELP” panel or glow tape for windows
  • Axe if in attic

Fire/smoke escape (upper floors)

  • Fire escape ladder sized for your floor count & sill depth
  • Smoke hood / escape respirator
  • ABC fire extinguisher (know PASS: Pull–Aim–Squeeze–Sweep)
  • Door wedge to hold a safe door open temporarily during escape
  • Spring-loaded glass breaker / center punch for tempered glass windows 

Safety reminders worth memorizing

  • Floodwater: avoid if possible—~6″ of fast water can knock you over; ~12″ can move a small car.
  • Fire: feel doors (back of hand); if hot or smoke-pressured, use alternate route/ladder; stay low under smoke.
  • Utilities: Shut off gas/electric/water if you smell/see a problem or are instructed. Restoring gas requires a professional.

Apartment Preparedness FAQs

FEMA recommends one gallon per person, per day, for at least three days. If space is tight, start small with stackable containers or collapsible water bags, and supplement with purification tablets or a compact filter.

Keep your kit where you can grab it quickly: near the main exit, in a bedroom closet, or under the bed. If you have multiple levels or exits, consider a small “grab bag” by the door and  larger supply storage in a closet.

Focus on the basics: battery-powered light (headlamp or lantern), charged power banks, shelf-stable food you can eat without cooking, water, and a plan for staying warm or cool safely. Keep a flashlight by the bed, and avoid using candles if possible (fire risk).

Choose compact, no-fuss options you’ll actually eat: protein bars, nut butter, canned meals, tuna or chicken packets, instant oatmeal, trail mix, and ready-to-eat soups. Prioritize shelf-stable, calorie-dense items and rotate them into normal meals.

Start simple: small conversations in the hallway, learn a few names, exchange contact info, and agree on a quick check-in plan during major storms or outages. If you’re comfortable, coordinate basics like who has first aid skills and supplies, who has alternative energy equipment (generator, solar charger), and who can assist someone who needs help.

You can still prepare without bulky storage. Use collapsible water containers, under-bed bins, and small “stackable” supplies that fit in closets. Focus on portable essentials: water, light, charging, first aid, a few days of food, and a simple go-bag with important documents you can grab quickly.