Where should we store Emergency Kit Supplies?
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We live in Earthquake country and have purchased all the requisite "in case of" supplies (water, generator, food, tents, extra clothes, etc.) but because it's so hot in the summer time, we don't know where to store all this stuff (and it's a lot)! We live in a 3 story house and if it were to flatten, we'd lose all the supplies; if we kept it in a separate shed outside, it would overheat, The garage gets to be 115 degrees in summer months..,so any ideas?
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All my supplies except food, water and first aid kit are in the garage. I have some in an upstairs closet and some in my second bedroom closet. I just have faith in humanity that we will all take care of each other if and when it happens. That is what we did during the Northridge quake when we lost 5 big windows in our house. I live in a small home so there are not many options.
We store ours in the basement. Could you allocate a room in your home just for these supplies? Don't worry about your house being flattened. We can't allow ourselves to worry that much. What will be, will be.
Store it where it is accessable in a hurry. Make sure everyone knows the spot. EJL.
I have lived in California... and know what you are thinking. I would store the supplies that don't mind the heat in an outdoor shed or in the garage.. put them in a container that mice and squirrels can't get into such as a galvanized trash can. Don't forget low tech stuff like a can opener and fire starter. The stuff that can be effected by temperature.. i would collect in a closet close to an exterior door... we keep our emergency food (commercial, long term ones) and water stores in vintage "Coke" coolers that can act as decorations and in vintage "footlocker" like chests that can act as benches or storage... put them on wheels... then they can "roll right out the door" in an emergency. Don't forget to include copies of your ID, Insurances, and important papers. We also have a "vacuum" sealer which can keep stuff extra secure, and water proof.. stuff like extra socks, clothes etc. Include phone number (hard copy) and addresses in case the cell towers go down.
When my son bought his house, there were doomsdayers renting it. They had supplies in the basement store room (full) one of the basement rooms that runs almost the length of the house and half the width (1/2 full), and the garage (lined up and stacked on three walls). Needless to say, they moved somewhere in the northwest. I don't think you have that much supplies, so maybe you could dig a root cellar type thing underground where it would be cooler. You could put the supplies in things like Rubbermaid containers for storage. All you would need in the house, perhaps in a front coat closet for quick and easy retrieval would be a backpack for each person with a change of clothes, water, something like granola bars (portable high energy food), first aid supplies, etc. for immediate needs.
Do you have a closet near an exterior door that could be dedicated to most of the items? The generator should be stored outside of the house in your garage or shed.