How to Take Advantage of Self-Storage During an Emergency

Nobody could have predicted the severity of the COVID19 outbreak, which is why it's so important to focus on sickness prevention efforts while prepping for other natural disasters as well. It's impossible to predict what's going to happen in the future, though many try.

Whether it's a series of wildfires that leave you without access to local resources you depend on, a major earthquake that causes panic and shakes up the local infrastructure, or a viral outbreak that locks you down at home. No matter what it is you're trying to prepare for, having access to reliable self-storage to build up a stockpile of supplies and equipment is an excellent start.

Stay Informed

No matter what emergency situation you find yourself in, staying safe is really about staying informed about what's going on around you. Fortunately, there are several key resources that make doing that fast and easy. Before deciding to go access your self-storage in Santa Maria, CA, check the city website for information about current restrictions, disaster preparedness recommendations, and any temporary laws in place.

For more widespread disasters the California Government website has useful information and you can find out more about viral pandemics and health-related issues by using the WHO (World Health Organization) website. Use the available resources to follow what's going on in the world and in your local community, and then decide how to stay safe and how to keep your family supplied during the emergency. 

Storage Sanitation Best-Practices

During viral outbreaks such as COVID19, it's more important than ever to focus on keeping your self-storage space properly sanitized. This means knowing what supplies you can store and what to avoid.

It means wiping down high-traffic touch areas throughout your storage facility when you access your unit, and it means protecting yourself with appropriate social distancing practices while accessing your stockpile. 

When accessing your unit at a location such as Fortress Secure Mini Storage, carefully sanitize your hands, wipe down your lock, your door handle, and other common touchpoints. Viruses don't live for more than a week on most surfaces as far as we know. This means you can pull items out of storage that hasn't been there very long without worrying about contamination.

Make sure to carefully disinfect what you put in and what you take out if you access your unit more frequently than that. Down below we'll get into what you should and shouldn't store in your unit to remain prepared. 

What to Store to Prepare for Disaster

Whenever you plan out your food prep and storage plans, it's best to think about the essentials you'll need to survive. When planning your stockpile you should be thinking about the following: 

• Food
• Water
• Medical Supplies
• Sanitization Tools and Protective Gear
• Survival gear

You want a good stockpile of non-perishable foods but should never keep them in a self-storage facility or another remote location. Instead, build up a supply right in your home where you can get to it immediately. You should also work to keep water and water purification tools right in your home.

However, you can stockpile clean containers of water and water purification tablets, filtration units, bleach and iodine in your self-storage facility as well as a backup source. 

Consider stashing medical supplies such as bandages, medications, a first-aid kit, quick-clot, a tourniquet, a first-aid guide, and other life-saving medical supplies just in case the emergency system breaks down or isn't available fast enough during an emergency situation. 

It's good to have a stockpile of sanitizing agents like bleach, isopropyl alcohol, disinfectant, gloves, and face masks, especially during times of widespread sickness. You can also hold onto survival equipment like tents, fire starters, cast-iron cookware, knives, bedding, and other essentials. 

Stay informed, stockpile the most useful supplies and stay safe during whatever emergency situations life throws at you. 

Having access to a self-storage unit makes doing all of that easier, and gives you a secure and reliable space to keep your stuff. Use it wisely and prepare for the unexpected.