A Guide to Preparing for Emergencies of All Kinds
Preparing or “prepping” may not be a priority for everyone and the smaller your space is, the more impossible it seems. But in post-pandemic America and with the political strife that is manufactured by our media and politicians, it seems more important than ever! No one wants to weather an economic breakdown or a food shortage without any supplies. The same goes for severe weather.
In my part of the country, hurricanes tend to cause quite a bit of chaos during the early fall, including limited electrical current, closed grocery stores, and over-taxed hospitals.
But how do you get prepared in a tiny house? With square footage at a minimum how can you create a food cache, hide a firearm or two, keep a first aid kit stocked, and not turn into the very thing you worked to escape in a more traditional home? Let’s take a closer look at several ways to make the most out of your available small space.
Make Room Under Your Bed
There is lots of unused room under a bed. In a loft space though it may be difficult to access that space. One of the best things you can do is employ the use of a bed riser, which will allow you to easily raise and lower the height of your bed frame as you see fit. You can also put the platform of the mattress on gas struts like many campers have.
In our 5th wheel home our mattress is supported by a 24” deep base and the actual mattress rests on a 3/4” piece of plywood. That plywood has a set of gas struts attached which allows the mattress to be raised and make the space underneath available.
If you’re looking for extra storage space for water containers, off-season clothing, blankets, and more, the space beneath your bed can be a lifesaver, keeping the rest of your THOW’s floorspace clear and free of clutter.
Invest in Non-Perishables
I am not sure if my little family has prepared for food correctly or not. A couple of years ago we did buy a 30-day supply bucket and we keep that in the cargo compartment underneath our 5th wheel. But that is 2,000 calories a day for three people. Once that is gone, it is gone. We knew we needed more as our food preps are reliant on weather and security.
We have fresh fruit, veggies, and nuts growing year ‘round. However, if a Cat 4 hurricane came through it would water log our pecans, destroy our stalk plants, and cause rot on our roots veggies. We would have to start again and that would take about two months to actually gain harvestable food. That said, we have opted for a cache of non-perishable items including canned goods, box goods, dehydrated foods, etc.
We store those (along with an inventory sheet) underneath our RV bed.
Get the Most Out of Your Nightstand
Granted most tiny house loft spaces don’t have nightstands. Many do have a small amount of bedside room or runner shelving next to the mattress. This is great space to store items such as candles, an herb garden, and boxes of ammunition.
You can also turn that shelf into a small cubby and make room for an extra pair of glasses or contacts, extra meds like Tylenol or even Band-Aids, and self-defense items. It is a great way to store but also keep items out of reach of visitors within your home, and nearby your bed.
Blankets as Decor
If your electricity ever goes out, having a few extra blankets for warmth around will be helpful. Saving a few bed sheets for wound care and tourniquets is also a good idea. However, they don’t have to be folded and packed away. Throw them over your futon for added comfort. Others can be placed at the end of your bed or pinned to a wall to create a unique tapestry.
Consider Vehicle Space
If you have a vehicle of any sort, it has space in the trunk (or bed) and possibly the back seat that should be utilized. This is especially helpful if you don’t use the vehicle for commuting and it is only occasionally needed.
A number of tiny houses have this arrangement due to a truck used for towing. Rather than letting your car sit undriven, consider making the most out of the space it has to offer you. Pack it full of safety essentials.
Don’t forget your pets
One thing that can’t be forgotten of course, are your pets. While it is pretty difficult to overlook the survival needs of your spouse or your child, it is easy to forget about your pet. No matter the circumstance, your pets still require feeding in an emergency. Make sure there’s a supply for them as well.
Dry food lasts longer than wet food, and it’s more compact. They can also eat leftovers when necessary and if your pet is an outside one, they won’t let themselves starve.
You’ve already got a head start
Tiny homes are intended to be self-contained, very similar to an RV. This means that everything you own is all in one place and also means you have a huge head start on being prepared.
Because the home is small, it is more easily defended. You will know immediately if your area has been breached by an intruder and you don’t have to worry about whether someone is hiding out in the garage or basement that you just aren’t able to see from where you are holing up.
THOWs also provide mobility. Forget the Bug Out Bag or even a Bug Out Location. When living in a small space–especially on wheels–you are an entirely mobile headquarters. You can more easily move your tiny home to another area if things are getting dicey in your current location.
Because tiny homes are so small and are intended to be self-contained, many of them make use of off-grid technology such as solar power, rainwater collection, and woodstove heat already. Because a tiny home is able to sustain itself with renewable resources and is not dependent on city utilities, if you are living in one when the peanut butter hits the fan, your daily routine will remain almost entirely intact.
You will still have power, still have water, and still have heat. As long as you stock supplies to support that infrastructure and/or have a garden and a secure food source, and are prepared to defend your tiny home, you are more easily prepared in any number of situations.
Remember though, every home and every situation is different. You need to assess your current strengths and evaluate your needs in an emergency situation. Just because you live small doesn’t mean you need to be caught off-guard.
Written by Andrew Odom for Tiny House Magazine Issue 119
