Self-storage is regularly used by consumers who want to unclutter their homes and businesses that need extra space to store inventory, but a blogger for the Great Bend Tribune believes it may also be ideal for Doomsday Preppers, a subculture of people who are actively preparing for the end of the world.

Similar to those who lived during the height of the Cold War, modern-day preppers strive to be self-sufficient in the face of apocalyptic events triggered by terrorism, natural disasters and pandemics, according to the source. Disaster preparedness includes the need to store survival gear and supplies such as medicine, water, fuel, non-perishable food rations, seeds, farming equipment, tools, back-up generators, gas masks, communication devices and non-electric appliances.

For this reason, blogger Maya Savanovich believes self-storage could be an appealing option to this group. Self-storage facilities offer attractive amenities including climate control, user discretion, security features and construction designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, such as wind-rated doors. Portable-storage containers may also be attractive to preppers because of their portability and accessibility.

While preppers understandably want emergency supplies close at hand, some opt to store items in more than one location in case one site is compromised, which also makes self-storage an attractive option, according to Savanovich.

Storage units could be just the right answer for Doomsday Preppers, especially if they are looking for cost-effective ways to enhance their preparedness, Savanovich wrote. Whats more, you can terminate the rental agreement at any given time if you find a better plan or are forced to move to another location. But bear in mind that very few options will provide you with such flexibility.

Some preppers have formed community-support networks on Meetup and Facebook and have plans in place for bartering and homesteading with like-minded families in the event of disaster, Savanovich said. They even have an online community at doomsdayprepperforums.com. 

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