Preparing Tenants for Winter Emergencies: A Resource Guide

When winter hits, bringing freezing rain, frozen pipes, or power outages, you can provide resources to help ensure your tenants are prepared.

You can easily create a checklist, tips, and resources that can easily be shared through your software in any of the following ways:

The following is a list of common topics for online resources you can create and provide to your tenants, tailored to your specific area, to help them prepare for and manage temporary conditions.

Emergency To-go kits

A to-go kit may be for staying put at home or for travel. Each person can determine what is needed based on their household needs (pets, children, medical, etc.) According to the American Red Cross, it’s a good idea to prepare two kits:

To-Go Kits: Should include three days' worth of supplies you can carry with you. Include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.)
Stay-at-Home Kits: Should include two weeks of food and water, and, if possible, a one-month supply of medications and medical supplies.

Learn more from the American Red Cross

Pet Preparedness

Be sure to remember pets' needs as well.

Leash
Food
Water
Medication
Coat/sweater

Learn more: Keeping Your Pets Warm and Safe

Building a Basic Emergency Supply Kit

The following Build a Kit list is provided by ready.gov. Click to download as a PDF.

To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle (to signal for help)
Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
Plastic sheeting, scissors, and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
Manual can opener (for food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Additional Emergency Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

Soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, or laxatives
Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Cash or traveler's checks
Important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records, should be saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles,s or other activities for children

Additional Resource

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a downloadable checklist for a basic emergency supply kit.