Moving into my most recent apartment has reminded me of how important it is to be prepared. Having certain items on hand when you live alone or even with a roommate is very important. Crisis situations will arise and you’ll handle them much better if you are prepared.

The items on the list are all things I consider apartment essentials. They are items that you might not think about right away because they aren’t the fun things like pretty paintings and cushy throw pillows.

While it’s definitely more fun to dream about the way you’ll decorate your apartment and the parties you’ll throw, it’s crucial to get all of these items so you’re covered for emergencies.

Below are the apartment essentials for single gals, or really, anyone! Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase.

Fire Extinguisher

This item is one you won’t need until you really need it. You can be careful and prevent and put out small fires, but a fire extinguisher really should be in your apartment for those times when something gets out of control. If your in an apartment you are completely at the mercy of your neighbors fire hazards as well.

It’s better to be safe than sorry in this case and start off with a fire extinguisher in your new apartment.

Spare Keys

It took me two apartments before I learned to get a spare set of keys ASAP and give them to a friend or neighbor in a different location. You could also hide them in a fake rock hiding space. Even before you move in you should do this. It’s no fun to be stuck outside of your apartment waiting for a landlord or worse – an emergency locksmith. Definitely get a spare set of keys for your apartment for someone you trust close by to keep. Some people like to keep spare keys near the apartment or under a mat but I think this is just asking for trouble and prefer to give them to someone I trust.

First Aid Kit

After several scrapes and a nasty dog bite, I’ve learned having a first aid kit in your apartment is essential. When something happens you don’t want to run out to get the supplies you need. Make sure you have at least a small first aid kit in your apartment with basics like hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, gauze, pain killers, and bandaids. Having the bare essentials on hand when you have a little accident is so important!

Flashlight & Batteries

Your power will go out. It’s really only a matter of time. Here in Tennessee it goes out during major storms with powerful winds. Not having a flashlight when you need one is frustrating and can even be deadly in certain situation. Make sure you get a quality flashlight and batteries to have an alternative light source ready for when you find yourself in pitch black darkness. I actually keep flashlights at home and a small one in my purse as well.

Toolbox

It’s nice to have a helpful father or handy boyfriend around, but even with help a phone call away you will have to handle some things yourself. It’s a great idea to get a small toolbox for your apartment so you have tools when needed. Even if it’s something you have on hand for other people to use when they come over, this is an essential item to have in your home. I got this one for my apartment and I’m loving it so far.

Go Bag

I used to think having a “go bag” was just something crazy “preppers” did on tv shows. But I recently realized having a bag with essential items that you can grab and go with during an emergency is a great idea.

Creating a small go bag for emergency situations won’t take much time but it will set you up to feel in control during an emergency. If you have to leave your house in a hurry you’ll have essential items you need for a couple hours or days. I highly recommend you create one when you move in to a new place and keep it an easy to grab spot near the main exit.

Important Lists

There are a couple very important lists you should make and keep on hand in your apartment. One is a list of everything in your wallet and/or purse. This is important for the off chance that your wallet is lost or stolen. When this happens it is a pain in the butt to replace everything, but having a list of what is gone makes it easier.

Another list you should keep is an emergency call list. We always had this on our fridge growing up but now I see how important it is. Having a list of your most important contacts helps someone else know who to call in an emergency. And if you’re stuck without your phone and contact list it’s a great reminder of who to call. I hardly ever memorize phone numbers these days so this list includes close family, doctors, work, and more. Keeping this around can come in handy for you or for someone else if something happens to you.

Alarm System

I’m no alarmist (hehe), but living on your own in an apartment as a single woman means you should make sure you are protected. Getting a standard alarm system put in is a great idea. You can get these at a reasonable price and will feel safer at night knowing you’re protected and have help just a phone call away. If you feel you don’t need an alarm system then you should have some additional forms of security like multiple locks, a big dog, etc.

Renter’s Insurance

Several years ago my friend’s apartment complex flooded after a rainstorm. Everything on the first floor was ruined and she lost a ton of her stuff due to the flood. If there’s a flood, or a fire, or some sort of mishap, you could potentially lose all of your belongings in an apartment.

That’s why it’s important to have renter’s insurance when you are living in an apartment. Renter’s insurance is really cheap and will generally only cost you $10-$30 a month depending on your amount of coverage. Companies offer renter’s insurance so if something does go wrong you’ll get the money you need to replace all of your belongings. It’s definitely something you need when living in an apartment.

What do you think is necessary when living in an apartment?