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How to Make Sure Your Emergency Food Stockpile Survives the Test of Time

Whether it is floods, bushfires or cyclones, a natural disaster could hit your Australian home at any time. When crisis strikes, those who fare best are the people who were prepared. Even something as seemingly harmless as a storm could cause damage to nearby amenities like food shops. That's why many Australians choose to 'prep' for such disasters by stockpiling food and household items. Having access to first aid and nutrients could be the difference between life and death if a crisis leaves you trapped. If you're thinking of starting your own emergency survival food stockpile, here are 3 storage tips that will keep your goods in edible condition until you need them.

Seal Your Food

Inadequate sealing can be a disaster for your emergency food supply. Virtually all life on Earth requires oxygen to survive. If your food isn't properly sealed, it will be exposed to oxygen and become the ideal feeding ground for bacteria and various pests. It's important to make sure all your food is stored in airtight containers. Most long-term food items come pre-jarred or pre-canned, but those that don't can be stored in sealable food-grade buckets or bags. Make sure that any food stored in plastic is kept well away from where rodents can reach, as they can chew through thin plastic with relative ease.

Darken Your Room

Just as light helps food to grow, it also helps it to decay. Like oxygen, light is an essential factor in bacterial growth. The more light you let reach your stockpile, the quicker your food will degrade. There are 2 main ways to combat this. The first is to eliminate light in the room itself. You can do this by using heavy curtains, blinds, or boards to block light entering through windows and using artificial lighting that can be turned on and off as needed. The second way is to make sure that nothing is stored in transparent containers or bottles that are exposed to light. Any food stored in such see-through packaging can be placed in boxes or crates to keep it in the dark.

Keep It Cool

Heat is the third major cause of food degradation. This is one of the hardest issues to combat in Australia given the high average temperatures experienced in many areas. Like many others, you're probably considering keeping your stockpile in a room which isn't normally temperature controlled, such as a basement, attic, or garage. If this is the case, consider installing an air conditioning unit in your stockpile room. A good local contractor should be able to advise you on a cost-effective system which will keep your food at a reasonable temperature so it's ready to eat if the time comes.