Apartment and rental
Preparedness without a basement.
Rentals and apartments work. You just adapt it to your space, your building, and your lease.
You don't need to own a house with a garage to be prepared. A backpack, a couple of bins, and a few building-smart choices cover most of it.
The main things that change in an apartment: storage space, reliance on elevators, shared building systems, and your relationship with building management.
A backpack in the closet counts. So does knowing where the stairs are.
Storage
Small space is fine.
Pick one or two accessible spots: a closet near the door, a bin under the bed, or a designated shelf. A grab-and-go backpack is ideal for evacuations.
- A backpack or bin you can lift and carry
- Stored up off the floor if flooding is a risk
- Somewhere you'd look in a hurry
- Known to everyone in your home
Building
Know your building.
Apartments add shared systems: elevators, fire alarms, building exits, generators, and management. Knowing how yours works saves time in an emergency.
- Know where the nearest exits and stairwells are — not just the elevator
- Ask building management about fire alarms, evacuation procedures, and emergency power
- If you rely on an elevator and it won't run, have a plan for getting out or getting help
- Keep a pair of sturdy shoes near the bed in case you need to leave quickly over debris
- Know where your building's fire extinguishers and pull stations are
If elevators are out, that changes your plan. Think it through before you need to.
Renting
What you can ask your landlord.
Renters have rights and reasonable requests. You can't rewire the building, but you can ask for things that materially affect safety.
- Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Securely mounted heavy fixtures if you request it
- Information about building emergency procedures
- Permission to add simple safety hardware if needed
Neighbours
Know a neighbour.
In a building, neighbours are your fastest help. You don't need to be close friends — just familiar enough to check on each other.
This is especially useful for older adults, people with access needs, and anyone who lives alone.
Official Canadian guidance
Verified sources for this topic.
Links and details can change. Confirm current information directly with the source.
Government of Canada: Emergency preparedness for apartment dwellers
Official Government of Canada resourceOfficial Canadian preparedness tips adapted for apartments and condos.
Read the preparedness guideKeep going