How to Safely Store Emergency Supplies for 20+ Years

Preparing for emergencies isn't just about collecting supplies—it’s about ensuring those supplies remain intact and usable for decades. Factors like moisture, oxygen, and packaging durability can degrade food, electronics, and other essentials. But with the right storage techniques and materials, you can safely store your emergency supplies for over 20 years. Key strategies include controlling moisture, removing oxygen, and using advanced packaging materials.

Here’s how to create a long-term storage system that ensures your emergency items remain usable, even after decades in storage.

Moisture Control: Prevent Degradation Before It Starts

Moisture is one of the biggest enemies of long-term storage. Left unchecked, it can ruin food, corrode electronics, and damage other crucial supplies. Molecular adsorption is your first line of defense. Using materials like silica gel packets in your sealed containers helps absorb moisture before it reaches your items.

Silica gel works by attracting and holding water molecules. The process is straightforward but effective, especially in preventing moisture buildup that could lead to mold, mildew, or rust. For items such as dehydrated foods, important documents, and survival gear, adding moisture-absorbing materials will extend their longevity.

Oxygen: A Hidden Threat to Long-Term Storage

While oxygen is necessary for life, it's detrimental to stored food and supplies over time. Oxygen exposure accelerates food spoilage, tarnishes metals, and corrodes electronics. To counteract this, incorporating oxygen absorbers into your storage strategy is crucial.

Oxygen absorbers, which often use iron powder to trap oxygen molecules, create an oxygen-free environment. This slows down or halts the degradation process. For example, in food storage, oxygen is a leading cause of spoilage. By removing oxygen, you prevent mold growth, bacteria, and the breakdown of nutrients, ensuring your food supplies stay safe for decades. Oxygen absorbers are equally beneficial for preserving items like first-aid kits, matches, and other sensitive materials that degrade when exposed to oxygen.

Advanced Storage Materials: Durability for the Long Haul

Basic plastic bags and containers may work for short-term storage, but for 20+ years of preservation, you need more durable materials. Mylar bags with multi-layer aluminum reinforcements are an excellent solution. These bags provide protection against moisture, oxygen, light, and physical damage, such as punctures.

The aluminum layer in Mylar bags acts as a barrier against environmental factors, while the overall construction ensures that your items remain sealed off from harmful external elements. When combined with oxygen absorbers, Mylar bags provide a reliable long-term storage solution. For emergency food, you can safely store grains, freeze-dried meals, and dehydrated fruits and vegetables with minimal risk of spoilage.

Organization: Efficient Access in Times of Crisis

While it’s essential to keep your supplies safe from environmental factors, organization is equally important. You’ll want quick access to your emergency supplies when needed, so labeling and categorizing your items is key. Use labels with clear contents and dates so you can easily track what’s stored and when it was packaged. This will save time in an emergency and ensure you only open sealed containers when absolutely necessary.

Why Choose Wallaby for Your Long-Term Storage Solutions?

Wallaby is your go-to provider for premium long-term storage solutions, offering products like Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and silica gel packets to keep your emergency supplies safe. Wallaby’s storage products are BPA-free, food-safe, and engineered for durability, ensuring that your supplies stay intact for 20+ years.

For all your long-term storage needs, visit Wallaby to shop now!

Conclusion

Storing emergency supplies for the long term requires more than basic containers and standard packaging materials. To ensure your food, electronics, and other essentials remain usable after 20 years, moisture control, oxygen removal, and advanced packaging are necessary. By using oxygen absorbers, silica gel packets, and multi-layer Mylar bags, you can create an environment where your supplies stay fresh, safe, and ready for when you need them most.