Where To Store Your Food

There are different views among experts as to where your emergency supply of food should be stored. Some insist that it should be outside because of the potential difficulty of getting to it in the house if there is structural damage after the quake (e.g., if you have it in a closet and the door is jammed and won’t open); or, if the house is so damaged you can’t safely stay in it.  

Others think it’s better to store food in the house, say, under beds or in a closet. This lessens the concern about the food going bad.  I’ve also had more than one person say their container outside, even though it was sealed, took on water and ruined sleeping bags, blankets, etc.

My inclination is to go with keeping emergency food inside (other than the garage).  Even if you have to temporarily abandon the house, you can still take it with you.  If you opt for a closet, that’s just another reason to keep a crowbar under your bed – in case you have to pry open a door.