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Renter Safety Gear

Practical fire-safety, emergency and moving essentials for apartment renters, chosen by our editors.

Most apartment fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms, and many displaced renters lose the documents they need to start over. These are the practical items our coverage keeps coming back to. Check your lease first: landlords are often responsible for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, so report a missing or broken one in writing before you buy your own.

As an Amazon Associate, Renter News earns from qualifying purchases. Links go to Amazon search results so you can compare current models, ratings and prices. We don't accept payment for these picks.

Fire safety

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10-year smoke alarmSealed battery, no chirping replacements. Ask your landlord first; many leases make alarms their job. Shop on Amazon Plug-in carbon monoxide alarmNeeded in any unit with gas appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage. Shop on Amazon Home fire extinguisherA 2-A:10-B:C rating covers ordinary, grease and electrical fires. Keep it near the kitchen exit. Shop on Amazon Kitchen fire blanketSmothers a small pan fire without the mess of an extinguisher. Shop on Amazon Fire escape ladderFor second- and third-floor bedrooms where a window is the second way out. Shop on Amazon Fireproof battery charging bagContains a failing e-bike or scooter battery while it charges. Shop on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Renter News earns from qualifying purchases.

Emergencies and outages

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Emergency go-bag kitWater, light, first aid and essentials in one bag if you must leave fast. Shop on Amazon NOAA weather alert radioSounds National Weather Service warnings even when cell service or power is out. Shop on Amazon Rechargeable flashlightFor outages and smoky hallways; keep one by the bed. Shop on Amazon Portable power bankKeeps your phone alive during an evacuation or a long outage. Shop on Amazon Fireproof document bagKeeps your lease, IDs, passports and insurance papers together and grab-ready. Shop on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Renter News earns from qualifying purchases.

Moving day

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Moving boxes kitBox sets sized for apartments, usually cheaper than buying one at a time. Shop on Amazon Packing tape and dispenserSeals boxes in seconds; buy more than you think you need. Shop on Amazon Furniture moving straps and dollySaves backs, walls and doorframes, and your security deposit. Shop on Amazon Move-out cleaning kitA spotless unit is the easiest way to get your full deposit back. Shop on Amazon Apartment tool kitFor small fixes, furniture assembly and documenting move-in issues. Shop on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Renter News earns from qualifying purchases.

Money

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Monthly budget plannerTrack rent, utilities and savings as prices change. Shop on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Renter News earns from qualifying purchases.

Not sure what you're missing?

Score your apartment with our fire safety checklist and see what to fix first.

Take the checklist