Ensuring Your Emergency Supplies Survive the Disaster
August 14, 2024

Ensuring Your Emergency Supplies Survive the Disaster

Nick and Susan always thought they were prepared for an emergency. They had built a well-stocked pantry, had long term food and water storage, a first-aid kit, and other supplies gathered to see them through a disruption. But when a faulty wire sparked a fire in the kitchen one night, they realized too late that they could not possibly grab all their carefully planned supplies in time. As they stood on the street watching firefighters battle the blaze, their emergency preparations quite literally went up in smoke.

This story is not uncommon. Many of us invest time, effort and resources into our emergency plans, only to overlook an important step; ensuring our supplies can survive the very disasters we're preparing for. This oversight can turn a well-intentioned plan into a costly lesson. Whether fire, flood, rodents, or even theft, with a little extra planning and a few adjustments, you can dramatically increase the chances you will not lose all your supplies.

The age-old adage "don't put all your eggs in one basket" applies perfectly here. While it's impossible to prepare for every conceivable scenario, taking some extra precautions can significantly increase the resilience of your emergency preparedness efforts.

  1. Diversify Storage Locations
  • Home: Store supplies in multiple areas, including upper floors less likely to flood.
  • Off-Site: Consider renting a storage unit or storing additional supplies at a trusted relative or friend's property.
  • Car: Keep an emergency supply kit in your vehicle.
  • Work: Maintain a kit at your workplace in case you're stranded during the day.
  1. Strengthen Protective Storage
  • Use reinforced containers to protect against flooding and pests (waterproof ideal).
  • Invest in fireproof safes for important documents and smaller high-value items.
  • Install water sensors and sump pumps to protect against basement flooding.
  • Explore options like long-term food storage that are more resilient to time.
  • Create a cache of supplies in a waterproof container on your property away from your main residence.
  1. Create a Group Network

Form a local emergency group and build a network of trusted like-minded individuals to pool resources and skills. Spread out your risk by sharing storage space. This way, all is not lost if you're part of a group with shared resources.

  1. Prioritize Portability

Pack supplies in easy-to-grab bags or containers so you have many of your supplies ready to go.  This allows for quick packing into vehicles and enables you to take more with you if you must evacuate. Also, practice evacuating with your gear to ensure you can manage it alone.

  1. Embrace Digital Solutions
  • Store important documents and information in encrypted cloud storage.
  • Use preparedness apps to track inventory and expiration dates.
  • Keep digital copies of insurance policies and important contacts.
  1. Develop Skills & Knowledge

Learn skills like first aid, bartering, gardening, identifying edible plants, and how to improvise with limited resources. This knowledge remains accessible even if your physical supplies are lost or depleted. Skills can replace supplies.

  1. Regular Rotation and Inspection

Periodically check and rotate your supplies to ensure condition, temperature and stay on top of expiration dates. This habit familiarizes you with your inventory and storage locations while providing an opportunity to reassess and improve your storage strategy.

 

Remember, the goal isn't just to accumulate supplies, but to ensure they're available when you need them most. Alongside material preparedness, by spreading out your supplies, building community networks, and focusing on skills you'll be better equipped to face whatever challenges come your way.

Take some action: Look at your own emergency plan. Ask yourself, what can I do right now to ensure my preparations will survive when I need them most?

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