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The 10 best ways to store emergency supplies in a small space

By Zoey Sky // Sep 11, 2018

TAGS: apartment prepping, bug in, bugging in, bugout bag, Collapse, disaster, emergencies, emergency preparedness, emergency supplies, Homestead, homesteading, multipurpose survival tools, off grid, preparedness, preparedness and survival, prepper, prepping, prepping tips, self sufficiency, self-reliance, self-sustainability, SHTF, Storage, storage tips, survival, survival supplies, Survival Tips, survival tools, survivalist

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Living in an apartment doesn't mean you can't prep like people who live in spacious houses or homesteads. However, you need to be creative to maximize every inch of storage space in your home. Below are 10 tips to follow if you want to hide emergency supplies in your apartment. (h/t to ApartmentPrepper.com.)

1. Create hiding spots – Create hidden storage under your dining room table by using a longer tablecloth. Additionally, you can cover a window with cardboard draped in fabric, so it looks like a curtain when viewed from outside. You can then put small shelves in the window for storage. Hide the shelves from the inside by covering it with a curtain.
2. Hide supplies in bags and suitcases – Instead of storing empty bags and suitcases, hide preps in bags, purses, and suitcases that you're not using.
3. Keep water in your freezer – Get sanitized two-liter bottles, fill them three-quarters with water, then freeze them. Add more to fill the extra space in your freezer because keeping it full can also help save energy. During a power outage, the extra ice can keep the freezer cool longer. When you use up your stored water, get the ice water from your freezer.
4. Make a list – Keeping a detailed list will help you keep track of the supplies you hid in your house.
5. Nest small items in bigger items –Store small items in empty covered bowls or pots and pans that you don't always use.
6. Store items in plain sight – Hide emergency supplies in antique trunks and use them as end tables, footrests, or ottomans.
7. Try vertical storage – Use the space on top of your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator. Get organizers and store supplies like canned food or pasta in these empty spaces. You can also build removable shelves above a washer/dryer or inside your closet. Hang hooks for lighter items. However, before you move, remove the shelves and hooks then cover any holes. (Related: Long-term food storage made easy.)
8. Use hanging shoe organizers/space savers – Shoe organizers have a lot of pockets that can keep various items within reach. Hang one on the inside of closet doors and store light items that you may need during an emergency such as baby wipes, food, or medical supplies. Don't cram heavy things in the pockets because they can tear. Additionally, you can use the space over the toilet by installing a removable shelf.
9. Use every inch of free space – Various areas around your apartment have extra storage space, such as closet floors and shelves, the space under beds, and under your couch. Keep emergency supplies in these spaces so nothing goes to waste.
10. Store supplies in your car – Always keep an emergency bag or survival kit in the trunk of your car. If you have to leave in a hurry, you'll have a bag or two of emergency supplies.

These tips can help apartment preppers or those who want to hide emergency supplies in small spaces. When SHTF, you'll have access to supplies no matter which room you find yourself in.

Survival items for apartment prepping

Here's a list of items that you may need to help you prepare for a survival scenario in your apartment:

• Crank cell phone charger – When the power goes out, you can keep using your phones with a crank cell phone charger.
• Crank flashlight – If your rechargeable flashlights run out of power, you can use a crank flashlight instead.
• Duct tape – Duct tape is handy and you can use it for anything that needs patching up.
• Five- gallon plastic buckets (with lids) – These buckets are versatile and you can use them as a storage container, a water bucket, or an emergency toilet.

You can read more articles with storage tips for emergency supplies at Preparedness.news.

Sources include:

ApartmentPrepper.com

SurvivalCommonSense.com

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