35 First Apartment Household Tools & Safety Items

Moving out for the first time and have no idea what to purchase to furnish your new home?
Having the right essentials for your first apartment makes all the difference. In this post, you’ll find all the items you’ll need in your first apartment tool kit in case of emergencies and when you need to fix something around the house.
35 First Apartment Tools & Safety Items
It’s easy to remember what to buy for each room such as the kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom. That’s the fun part of shopping for your new home.
But there are a lot of other staples that are really important to have on hand and these can be life-saving in certain situations, especially if you live alone and don’t have any help.
These include safety items in times of emergencies and tools that you might need when you’re trying to fix something around the house that’s broken.
If it’s your first time moving out, whether you’re moving into a college dorm or your first big girl apartment, don’t sleep on this essentials list!
Before we get onto the list, get my printable essential household tools list along with other furniture and essentials for every room in your new home you’ll need in one easy package. It even includes a shopping list so it’s easy for you to keep track of what you still need to purchase.
Safety Items For Your New Home
Let’s first start with what you need in your safety and emergency kit. These safety items probably won’t be used much at all, but they are crucial to have on hand when the time comes.
1. First Aid Kit
For those rare times when you hurt yourself and need bandages or gauze, a first aid kit with all the essentials is a must to add to your safety toolbox in case of emergencies.
2. Fire Extinguisher
If a fire starts up in your apartment, a fire extinguisher is one of those must-have essentials you’ll need that could save your life. Don’t forget to learn how to use it if you’ve never used one before an emergency happens as you won’t have time to figure out how it works on the spot. You can also get one in a smaller size that is specifically used for the kitchen.
3. Fire Blanket
In addition to a fire extinguisher, you can also get a few fire blankets. These are good to use for small fires such as in the kitchen. Just note that they’re not reusable.
4. Emergency Flashlight
It’s always good to be ready for when a blackout happens by keeping an emergency flashlight around the house just in case. This flashlight has a dual purpose: It can be continuously plugged into the wall and used as a night light or when a blackout occurs, it automatically lights up and can be disconnected to use as a handheld flashlight.
5. Candles
Having candles around as a backup source of light and warmth is also a good idea to have tucked away in case of emergencies. These unscented tealight candles are made of soy, are vegan-friendly, and will run for up to 7 hours before they burn out. These are also great for everyday candle use and to keep food warm.
6. Utility Lighter
Having a utility lighter around the house is great for all sorts of occasions and they’re easier and more convenient to use compared to matches. They are great to have during emergencies when you need to light up a few candles or for more joyous occasions such as lighting up candles on a birthday cake.
7. Matches
Although a utility lighter is easy to use, having good ol’ matches on hand is also a great idea. You never know when you might need them in an emergency.
More Home Ideas
- The Ultimate List Of First Apartment Essentials
- 35 Thoughtful Housewarming Gift Ideas
- 24 Amazing Furniture Ideas For Small Apartments
8. Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and tasteless so making sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector is crucial. It might just save your life! This one also has a built-in smoke detector.
9. Emergency Binder
During an emergency, you might feel flustered and all over the place. Having all of your important contact information all in one place in an emergency binder can be very helpful.
10. Batteries
Having a set of different-sized batteries is always great to have as a backup to use in case of emergencies.
11. External Battery Pack
With no power available during a blackout or other similar sorts of situations, having an external phone battery power bank will give you peace of mind that you can still charge your phone.
First Apartment Tool Kit
One essential you can’t forget when you move out is a first home tool kit.
For those times when you need multiple tools such as a hammer, screwdriver, or screws, a toolbox kit is always handy to have to help you fix anything around the house.
If you already have some of these on hand, check out some must have household tools below that you can purchase separately that you may still need.
Other Essentials
Last but not least, here are a few other random essentials that are often forgotten about but they’re very useful to have.
1. Shoe Rack
If you have dozens of shoes and want to organize your space near the front door, a shoe rack is an absolute essential. You won’t have to leave your shoes all over the place anymore and this will free up a lot of space and create a more clean and tidy look.
2. Doormat
A doormat is a great piece that is both functional and decorative and it’s also a great way to show off your personality. If you live in a snowy or wet climate, a doormat is especially useful to keep your front hallway clean of water and snow.
3. Shoe Tray
If you live in a cold climate with a lot of snow, you’re going to want to put all of your wet shoes on a boot tray so that your front hallway doesn’t get soaked.
4. Storage Boxes
If your apartment lacks space, large plastic storage boxes will be helpful to store extra stuff that you don’t use often and to keep dust out. You can put these under your bed (if possible) to save space, in your closets, or an external storage room.
5. Step Stool
For all you shorties who live alone, a step stool is so useful especially if you need to reach for something up in the kitchen cupboards. And even if you’re not part of the short girl club, having a step stool around is great if you need to change a light bulb that’s high up on the ceiling.
6. Mail & Key Wall Hanger
If you always have a bunch of keys or loose mail lying around all over your front hallway, a great essential to add near the door is a mail & key wall hanger as it keeps them all in one central place.
7. Drying Rack
A drying rack is useful especially in the summer when you only have a few things to dry and don’t want to use the drying machine. It’s also compact and can be easily folded and stored away when it’s not in use.
8. Electric Power Outlet Strip
If you have multiple electronics and appliances that need to be used at the same time but not enough electrical outlets, having an electric power outlet strip in each room is a great essential.
9. Coat Rack
If your apartment closets don’t have a lot of room to put all of your coats and jackets, a wall-mounted coat rack is extremely helpful to save room. It also allows easy on and off access to your most worn jackets of the season.
Have you snagged your printable first home essentials checklist yet? If not, get yours now.
More First Home Essentials
- 30 First Apartment Bedroom Essentials
- 20 Must-Have Bathroom Essentials
- 35 Essential Cleaning Supplies For Your First Home
- 17 Living Room & Dining Room Essentials
- 35 Kitchen Essentials For Your First Apartment
What is on your list of tools & safety items for your new home that you’ll be getting?