Protect The Cash In Your Stash

How and where to store your supplies and gear for the long haul

- Suzy Jeffries

As a vendor at several prepper shows, I have had the privilege of learning from customers and, on occasion, the opportunity to help them with their survival supply storage practices. At least one customer at each show would share with me that they had secured enough long-term storage food or other supplies to last a year or more. While it is commendable to have such a supply, when asked where and how they were storing these supplies, oftentimes, the answer would be in boxes, stacked in the garage, in the basement or in an upstairs bedroom.

Preparing for potential disaster can be expensive and time consuming; ensuring you really have supplies should be a priority. No matter where you reside, there is risk for some type of catastrophe, and regardless of how well you store your supplies there is always a chance the unexpected will occur, such as a structure fire, so I suggest you have backup supplies.

BASIC STORAGE PRACTICES

If it’s within your budget, store your supplies in airtight, waterproof containers. Not only will this protect your supplies from water and air, it provides protection from insects and rodents. Longterm storage food purchased from companies such as Legacy and Wise typically comes in airtight, waterproof buckets. If it’s not within your budget, purchase plastic totes with a good fitting lid from a discount store. For added protection, tape down and seal the lid using a quality duct tape such as Gorilla brand. Another option is metal ammo cans which can be purchased in various sizes relatively cheap online, at military surplus stores and at gun and prepper shows.