Prepping for a Disaster? Here’s Where to Store Your Survival Kits

Around 75% of Americans worry about natural disasters and calamities and 41% say that they are not prepared when a catastrophe strikes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that people should be ready for a calamity by preparing their disaster safety kits. The emergency kit must contain supplies that will last for at least 72 hours. Depending on the number of people in your household and the area where you are located, your emergency kit composition may need to contain some essentials suitable to the disasters you are most likely going to face. Disaster kits also require proper storage to make certain that they are safe for use or consumption.

Storing Your Survival Packs at Home

You will need adequate space to store your emergency packets because these can become bulky or heavy. Logically, a spare room in your home can serve as a storage place. It must be free from light, dust, and humidity to preserve the integrity of your supplies. The basement can also serve as a store room. Both spaces have the advantage that you can reach your emergency stash as soon as disaster strikes.

Another place for stowage is outdoors. Think of portable buildings that you can assemble anywhere in your grounds whether close to the house or around the garden. Sheds and prefab buildings make ideal storage areas dedicated only to your survival kits. By having a space for your emergency packets, you avoid clutter and the confusion of finding things that you need if disaster strikes. Simply head to you outdoor shed and distribute the packs to the family or your group.

Storing Disaster Packs Outside of the Home

If you have a second residence which may be a townhouse in town, a cabin in the woods or a condo by the seaside, consider organizing an emergency kit that can help you get through an urgent situation. Its contents may be identical to the kits you have at home or specific to the threats and conditions that may affect the area.  For example, if you happen to be at your seaside vacation home while there is a hurricane warning, boarding up your home is helpful before evacuating. Hence, your supplies might include some construction materials & tools, maps, and even a ham radio.

Storing your emergency gear at a secondary location also helps if you are forced to leave your primary residence quickly due to a disaster. You simply head off to your place and make use of your stash if you cannot get out and buy supplies. There are several places where you can keep your stockpile safe at a secondary place. If you have a spare room or a garage, you can use these spaces to keep your kits. The pantry is also another option. Just make sure that you are not using emergency stocks when there is no disaster or you are too lazy to get out and shop. Remember, stockpiling is like saving for a rainy day so you will not get enough warning when disaster strikes. Hence, preserving your emergency supply is important to your survival and even comfort.

Evidently, not everyone has a second property and for those who do not have one, the place of work is a viable storage option. Use your desk drawer to hide a reserve kit which can assist you during emergencies. A grab bag is a good alternative as you can easily snatch it and leave immediately if evacuations are called for.

Keeping Emergency Packs Safe and Well-Stored

It is not enough that you leave your survival kits in the storage room and forget about them. Check your emergency supplies at least once a month to see if they are stored properly and are not exposed directly to the sunlight. Write down expiry dates of food, drinks, first-aid provisions, and medications to ensure that they are still safe for use and replenish accordingly. If you borrowed something from your kit during a minor emergency, be sure to replace it and put newer items behind. Do a visual inspection of your storage area to ensure that it is free from pest infestations and molds.

If you have a portable generator, make sure that it is maintained. Clean the spark plugs, change the lubricant & oil filters, top up distilled water as needed, drain fuel when not in use and check for loose screws & caps. It is also advisable to start it every 30 days to make sure it runs smoothly. Tools and equipment should also be inspected, cleaned, maintained, and stored securely.

Disaster preparedness is vital to your security and survival if an emergency or if shit hits the fan. If you have a well-put emergency kit and a place to store them properly, there’s no reason why you can’t pull through a calamity or misfortune that strikes your area.

1 thought on “Prepping for a Disaster? Here’s Where to Store Your Survival Kits”

  1. Also you need to rotate your semi perishable goods like canned foods as the flavors can detriate. Also you want to check them for leaks as well, not just in the rotting of the can, but I have had the lid seals fail. As always rotate, use up the oldest first.

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