A renter who evacuated their apartment building during a fire alarm discovered a gap in an otherwise well-stocked emergency plan. The extra step cost valuable time as they prepared to leave the multi-story building.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit post on r/TwoXPreppers, the renter estimated that they reached the building's main exit in just under three minutes. They had been dozing when the alarm sounded and had several flights of stairs to descend after leaving their apartment.
Along with jeans and trail-running shoes, the renter took noise-canceling headphones, a medic pouch belt, an everyday-carry backpack, and a three-day evacuation backpack. The headphones helped with sensory issues, while the lightweight bags allowed them to descend the stairs safely, according to the poster.
An emergency supply of the most critical medicines was already in the evacuation pack. "My evac pack was open for some reason. It required me to cinch and buckle it closed," the poster explained.
Looking back, the renter identified an avoidable task. They opened the everyday-carry bag to add more medication even though they had an emergency supply already, then closed it again. "I wasted precious time. (Every second wasted in fire evacuation can be the difference between life and a fiery death.)," they wrote.
More background
An email the renter had missed contained the announcement that explained the alarm: It was a system test.
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In a reply, the poster said a previous home had burned down. They had also experienced roughly 30 alarms during a two-year stay at another apartment building. A neighbor repeatedly setting fires, cooking mishaps, and a malfunctioning alarm system all contributed to that total.
Rather than assume another alarm was a false alert, the renter chose to take each one seriously. One commenter said burnt toast or popcorn could set off the alarm in their former building. During winter, that commenter slept in sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt and made sure to bring shoes and an outdoor coat when evacuating.
What can be done?
For easier access, the renter planned to keep a face mask clipped to the outside of the evacuation backpack, unfolded and ready to wear.
A spare N95 was available before the renter reentered the building after the all-clear, but they had already encountered neighbors without masking up. The poster said this lapse was a concern because of an immune-system vulnerability.
Everyday essentials remained in the jeans the renter carried out. Rather than spend time changing, they evacuated in pajamas. The renter's advice to a neighbor was to evacuate, not stay and talk. The neighbor had tried to start a conversation about someone pulling the alarm.
Another commenter, who had evacuated with two small children after seeing a neighboring house on fire, recommended practicing a quick departure: "I typically only plan for the 5 or 10 minute evacuation, but a 1 minute bug out definitely needs to be practiced, especially if you have little ones you physically have to carry."
Where can I learn more?
Having a bag packed is only part of being ready to leave when an alarm sounds. These stories offer advice on packing, wildfire evacuation, and hurricane essentials.
• Florida evacuees said a realistic bug-out bag looks more like weekend luggage than survival gear.
• A renter questioning emergency preparations received advice to prepare for everyday disruptions, not doomsday.
• A U.K. prepper stocked water and two go bags alongside solar backup for home outages.
• A Washington off-grid newcomer seeking wildfire safety advice received a blunt recommendation to leave.
• In Florida, Hurricane Isaias preparations paid off, but tea candles and fancy radios disappointed.
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