How To Safely Stockpile Fuel For The Future
Many people throughout the United States today believe that a natural disaster or apocalyptic event will take place at some point in the future. In order to prepare for survival during one of these events, it's not uncommon for people to stockpile basic necessities. If you have a generator or motor vehicle, you will need fuel to keep these machines running.
Here are three tips you can use to safely stockpile fuel for the future.
1. Make sure you rotate through your fuel supply on a regular basis.
You may be surprised to learn that fuel has a shelf life. If you want to ensure that you have access to fresh fuel at all times, it's important that you take the time to establish a rotation schedule for the fuel stored in your stockpile.
Regular gasoline will remain viable for up to two years when stored properly, and diesel fuel will last 6 to 12 months. Be sure that you use the fuel you have stored before its shelf life expires, and replace it with fresh fuel.
2. Make sure you keep your stockpile within the legal limit.
Keeping a flammable liquid like gasoline in storage can be dangerous. To ensure that citizens aren't placing themselves or their property at risk of damage, many municipal governments place a limit on the number of gallons of gasoline you can keep in your stockpile.
The EPA doesn't recommend storing more than 1 to 5 gallons at a time, and a proposed limit of 25 gallons has been suggested by the National Fire Protection Association. Be sure that you contact your local fire authorities to determine how many gallons of fuel you can legally store on your property.
3. Invest in the right type of storage containers.
In order to prevent leaks or spills when storing fuel, it's essential that you invest in the right type of storage containers. Plastic containers can begin to deteriorate over time, and the hooks which allow the nozzle on plastic containers to engage the tank opening can break off, rendering the fuel container useless.
If you plan to keep a stockpile of fuel on hand, you should invest in metal gas cans. These cans are durable, and they will not leak fuel or vapors over a temperature range of 130 degrees.
Understanding the proper way to store fuel can help ensure that you have access to gasoline when you need it. For more information, talk to a professional like Small & Sons Oil Dist Co.