Where you store your emergency supplies is critical. Many people just store their supplies wherever they have room and this can turn into a HUGE problem. Your supplies should be easy to access and should be accessible in the event of an emergency. Here are some useful tips to consider when storing your supplies.

DON’T: Store Supplies are Somewhere in the Garage

You have some supplies and you have them stored somewhere. They may be a box marked “Emergency” or “Camping”. They are in the garage somewhere in a stack of boxes. In an emergency you may need to find your supplies quickly. There may have been an earthquake and the contents of your home and garage could have shifted. You may not have time to dig through a pile of boxes or open boxes to find your supplies.

DO: Allocate a space for your supplies and clearly mark the containers. The supplies should be easy to see and reach without having to move other containers.

DON’T: Store Supplies in the Attic

Many people use their attic for storage. Attics are generally a bad place for emergency supplies because attics can be difficult to access and temperatures are much more extreme compared to the living area of the house. The attic can also be difficult to access especially in an emergency situation.

DO: Keep your supplies easily accessible. If you are forced to use your attic then keep the supplies near an access hatch and use containers that will easily pass through that hatch.

DON’T: Store Supplies in the Basement

Possible emergencies include storms, rain, and flooding. Can flooding affect your basement? If so, then a basement is NOT the place for your supplies. If you have a daylight basement that is not subject to flooding then it could be a possible location for your supplies.

DO: If there is any possibility that your basement could flood do NOT use it to store your supplies. Store your supplies on higher ground.

DON’T: Store Supplies in Non-Climate Controlled Environment

Some of your supplies will not do well in non-climate controlled areas. The hot/cold temperature variations will accelerate the deterioration rate of many items such as space blankets, food, first aid supplies, etc. If you preserve your own foods then freezing temperatures could cause glass jars to break.

DO: In a non-climate controlled environment be sure to only store items that are not affected by extreme hot/cold temperatures.