Your preps won't do you any good if you can't keep them from being taken by someone who wasn't responsible enough to do their own preps.

Many times over the years I've seen lowlifes say "I don't need to prepare because if TSHTF I'll just come take yours". Make sure they don't succeed.

This includes weapons, how the preps are stored, situational awareness, and keeping your yap closed.

This isn't a weapons post, but I do recommend you be armed and know how (and when) to use them to keep all your prepping from being for nothing.

A shed out behind your house isn't the ideal spot to store your preps. You might be able to put some security measures in place, perhaps cameras and such, but make sure they'll work in a grid-down situation. And consider sneaking your preps inside the house if TSHTF.

Inside your house, you probably have more hiding/storing spots than you realize. Not everything will need to be hidden, of course, but on the other hand you don't want to be tripping over all this stuff year after year. A prepper isn't the same thing as a hoarder (but there is some overlap sometimes). So you'll need to think about storage.

You can design ways to store things under, or inside, some couches, chairs, and beds. If you are creative you'll think of ways to do this. Look for ideas online.

You can get extra storage cabinets, like the old entertainment center I picked up at a thrift store and converted into a secondary pantry.

Anytime you get new furniture, consider choosing items which include built-in storage.

If you have a crawl space you can access, and keep things dry and pest-free, it may be a possibility. A storm cellar or a garage offers more possibilities. Some things can be stored in an attic.

Always consider the conditions which could harm specific preps and store them to avoid those issues. You can store extra blankets in an uninsulated attic, but it wouldn't be a great place for canned food. Think about the potential for excessive heat, freezing, moisture, pest, and other physical damage. Something can be stored just about anywhere, depending on its needs.

Situational awareness isn't only about noticing the stranger who seems to be following you at a distance. It can be about being aware of the larger situation. Pay attention to what is going on in your neighborhood. What's the mood of the surrounding regions? Are people looking for an excuse to riot and loot? Or, are they putting a foot down and saying "Not here you won't!"? If people are acting nervous you might want to pull your preps closer.

Do you see situations approaching that you can see going bad? Pandemics, elections, hyperinflation, natural disasters? Don't worry about looking silly when nothing happens. Consider it dry run. Don't get complacent. The boy who cries wolf could really see a wolf.

And finally, don't talk too much about your preps. It's OK to encourage people to prep. In a general manner. It's great to even have a tight-knit group that helps each other with preps. But you don't want FEMA coming to your door and demanding your preps "for the common good" any more than you want local losers deciding that they are owed what you have. Loose lips lose preps.

Stockpile what you think you might need, and KEEP it.