Know the building
Save the building manager’s emergency contact and locate the posted emergency instructions and exit routes.
SMALL SPACES · PRACTICAL PREPAREDNESS
Preparedness that fits a rented home.
Make a clear plan, find a place for the essentials, and coordinate the building details you do not control.
Give supplies a home
Group portable essentials where you can reach them. Keep exits and access routes clear.
Plan together
Discuss transport, pets, accessibility, and a destination with your household.
Choose the part you need.
Ask before you need the answer.
- How are urgent building notices delivered?
- Where are the posted evacuation instructions?
- Who can discuss access or assistance needs with you?
- What storage restrictions apply to your unit and shared areas?
Follow building and local emergency instructions. Keep any equipment choices consistent with the building’s rules and manufacturer instructions.
Sources & editorial notes
Sources checked September 10, 2026. Survivor Ready uses AI-assisted drafting and illustrative imagery. This guide has not received independent expert review. Follow local emergency instructions. General information does not replace advice tailored to your household.
Your next useful step
ORGANIZE
Start with what you have
Gather useful supplies and agree on contacts and a destination.
FILLFill the essentials
Review each category and address the needs still missing.
UPGRADEUpgrade when useful
Compare equipment only after you know the job it needs to do.
A way to set priorities, not a readiness score. Essential needs can require purchases or professional help.
Check the household safety basics
Smoke alarms, CO alarms and extinguishers: what to check before buying or replacing equipment.