10 Items Your Tenants Should Have In Their Emergency Kits

No matter how careful your tenants try to be, there is always a chance that an emergency will come up. When something does happen, it is crucial for your tenants to be prepared. A huge part of this is having an emergency kit ready for things that may happen. Having a well-stocked emergency kit with the proper items can make a huge difference when emergencies happen.

Fire blanket

Fire blankets are affordable and can withstand up to 900 degrees of heat. These items are meant to be thrown on top of a fire to smother it and extinguish it. They are made with a variety of heat-resistant materials that help put out fires. Unlike fire extinguishers, there is no mess involved. They can be used in various types of locations, including the kitchen, offices, fireplaces, and grills.

First aid kit

Injuries can happen at any point. Basic supplies like antibiotic ointment, band-aids, and gloves should always be kept. Other items in the kit include gauze, cold packs, burn cream, and alcohol prep pads. You may even have your tenants become trained in Naloxone and have some in their first aid kits in case anything were to happen on your property. First aid kits are crucial for the proper treatment of injuries and illnesses that may arise.

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Wrench

Plumbing emergencies can strike at any time and you may not always be able to assist your tenants, especially if it is late at night. Encourage your tenants to have their own wrench in their emergency kits in case something happens outside of your working hours. They may even opt for an adjustable wrench, which can be used no matter what size nuts and bolts there are. If your tenants have never used a wrench before, show them how to use it so they can make even a temporary fix in a pinch until you can assist them further.

Flashlight

Power outages can happen at any time, whether it is caused by a storm, an accident, or a transformer issue. Flashlights can even be used when tenants are moving in and out of their space and they do not have lights in a specific room. Your properties may have a lot of windows that bring in a lot of natural light, but when it gets dark, lights are crucial so tenants are not tripping and getting hurt. Be sure they also have extra batteries in case the batteries in the flashlight die.

Portable phone charger

Just like flashlights, portal phone chargers are useful during power outages. Cell phones are essential in emergencies as they are used for calling 911 and help tenants receive important information. Phone chargers that plug into the wall will not work during power outages, so your tenants need to have portable chargers to keep their phones charged. Remind them to keep the portable chargers charged so they have them ready for emergency situations.

Food and water

While your tenants may not be without food and water for days, it is still a good idea for them to have non-perishable food and water available in emergency situations. In cases of power outages, kitchen appliances are unable to heat up food and refrigerators will not be able to keep food cold. As such, having shelf-stable food in their emergency kits as well as water can help them stay hydrated and keep them fed as they wait for access to hot meals.

Clothing and “accessories”

It is recommended that your tenants have a change of clothes, including undergarments, in their emergency bag. It is also crucial that they bring an extra set of glasses or contacts and contact lens solution. While it is important to pack lightly, these can help in case they are stuck somewhere for an extended period or need to go somewhere in a pinch.

Toiletries

Toiletries are necessary for hygiene. Tenants should have up to three days’ worth of toiletries in their emergency kit, just in case. These items can include feminine hygiene products, deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and other products. These sorts of products often come in travel sizes, so they can fit in an emergency kit without being too bulky.

Cash

Not many people carry cash anymore, but it is crucial in the instance where your tenants leave their wallets behind or are unable to get to an ATM quickly. Sticking even $20 in their emergency bag can help them make do until they can get access to their cards and accounts.

Spare Keys

If your tenants are hurrying out of their space, it is important that they take spare keys with them. As a property manager, you can give them two sets of keys- one to keep with them and one for their emergency kit. For tenants that drive, if they have two sets of car keys, have them put one set in the emergency bag in case they have to drive somewhere.

It is important for your tenants to be prepared for emergency situations. One of the biggest parts of this is having a well-stocked (and properly stocked) emergency kit.