How to Prepare Your Home for Quarantine and Other Calamities
Nobody sees it coming.
With little warning, Coronavirus (COVID-19) has drastically reshaped our lives- a change that’s visible globally, across all economic, geographic, and social landscapes. This huge shift has affected millions. Tens of thousands have succumbed to the disease across the world, not to mention the growing number of patients in the hospitals that are still fighting for their lives.
With the future unclear, we are left wondering how we can preserve the comfort and security of ourselves and our loved ones in this unique time. So much is out of our hands, but we can help reduce the number of infected individuals by keeping indoors.
If you’re not yet practicing social distancing or are just looking for ways to enhance your isolation, here are some tips to ensure that your family stays safe and comfortable indoors.
Prepare your Pantry
Whether it’s a pandemic or a natural disaster, every household needs to have plenty of food and supplies stashed in the pantry. If possible, having two weeks’ worth of food is recommended so that you can decrease the number of times you head to the grocery store.
In your pantry, it’s recommended to have a supply of non-perishable items such as canned or frozen vegetables, fruit, beans, nuts, fish/meat, and energy bars.
As outbreaks like these are unpredictable, maintaining a good inventory of food and other necessary commodities is a must. Households who were not able to fill their pantries ahead of time can always buy their provisions in their local supermarkets. They just need to observe the buying restrictions and hygiene protocols of their state/municipality.
You can also opt for delivery service to have groceries delivered to your doorstep. In essence, this limits one’s exposure to other people who might be potential carriers of the virus.
Stock Up on Commodities
After making sure that your family has enough food for a couple of weeks, you need to make sure that your household’s level of comfort and hygiene is taken care of. See to it that you have enough hygiene products, paper goods, cleaning items, prescriptions, etc. to last for two weeks. If you have babies and adults with incontinence, you’ll want some diapers and wet wipes as well.
Also, it’s the best time to check your access to clean, potable water. If you don’t have regular access to it or for some reason, have experienced interruptions in the past, invest in tools like straw filters, water purification tablets, and no-rinse bathing wipes.
Get a First Aid Kit
Hospitals are likely to be congested these days, and the last place that you want to be is the emergency room anyways. Having a first aid kit provides a higher level of assurance to your family that, despite the crisis, you’re still in control of the situation.
While you’re at it, double-check if you still have enough prescriptions stashed inside your kits. Doing so will prevent you from heading outdoors just to buy OTC medicine.
Keep your Pet’s Supplies in Check
We consider our pets to be members of our family. We need to pay attention to their comfort, security, and needs during times of disaster and emergencies, as well.
Like you, your pet needs to have enough food, toys, and hygiene products to last for the entire period. Grab some pee pads, cat litter, or even fake grass. These essentials are useful, especially for urban dogs who are often walked several times a day to relieve themselves. If these items are not available, you can use newspapers or other supplies available at home. Always remember to practice proper waste handling to avoid contracting other transmissible diseases like leptospirosis or giardia.
Pets are also vulnerable to stress, especially if they’re taken away from their routine. So be sure that while the quarantine is still on, you slowly work them into a new routine at home. Keep them happy and occupied with toys like puzzles, balls, and ropes.
Remaining inside our homes is a challenge for everyone. But remember that our health workers and other front liners are working to keep us safe. Let’s do our end of the deal and stay indoors.
With little warning, Coronavirus (COVID-19) has drastically reshaped our lives- a change that’s visible globally, across all economic, geographic, and social landscapes. This huge shift has affected millions. Tens of thousands have succumbed to the disease across the world, not to mention the growing number of patients in the hospitals that are still fighting for their lives.
With the future unclear, we are left wondering how we can preserve the comfort and security of ourselves and our loved ones in this unique time. So much is out of our hands, but we can help reduce the number of infected individuals by keeping indoors.
If you’re not yet practicing social distancing or are just looking for ways to enhance your isolation, here are some tips to ensure that your family stays safe and comfortable indoors.
Prepare your Pantry
Whether it’s a pandemic or a natural disaster, every household needs to have plenty of food and supplies stashed in the pantry. If possible, having two weeks’ worth of food is recommended so that you can decrease the number of times you head to the grocery store.
In your pantry, it’s recommended to have a supply of non-perishable items such as canned or frozen vegetables, fruit, beans, nuts, fish/meat, and energy bars.
As outbreaks like these are unpredictable, maintaining a good inventory of food and other necessary commodities is a must. Households who were not able to fill their pantries ahead of time can always buy their provisions in their local supermarkets. They just need to observe the buying restrictions and hygiene protocols of their state/municipality.
You can also opt for delivery service to have groceries delivered to your doorstep. In essence, this limits one’s exposure to other people who might be potential carriers of the virus.
Stock Up on Commodities
After making sure that your family has enough food for a couple of weeks, you need to make sure that your household’s level of comfort and hygiene is taken care of. See to it that you have enough hygiene products, paper goods, cleaning items, prescriptions, etc. to last for two weeks. If you have babies and adults with incontinence, you’ll want some diapers and wet wipes as well.
Also, it’s the best time to check your access to clean, potable water. If you don’t have regular access to it or for some reason, have experienced interruptions in the past, invest in tools like straw filters, water purification tablets, and no-rinse bathing wipes.
Get a First Aid Kit
Hospitals are likely to be congested these days, and the last place that you want to be is the emergency room anyways. Having a first aid kit provides a higher level of assurance to your family that, despite the crisis, you’re still in control of the situation.
While you’re at it, double-check if you still have enough prescriptions stashed inside your kits. Doing so will prevent you from heading outdoors just to buy OTC medicine.
Keep your Pet’s Supplies in Check
We consider our pets to be members of our family. We need to pay attention to their comfort, security, and needs during times of disaster and emergencies, as well.
Like you, your pet needs to have enough food, toys, and hygiene products to last for the entire period. Grab some pee pads, cat litter, or even fake grass. These essentials are useful, especially for urban dogs who are often walked several times a day to relieve themselves. If these items are not available, you can use newspapers or other supplies available at home. Always remember to practice proper waste handling to avoid contracting other transmissible diseases like leptospirosis or giardia.
Pets are also vulnerable to stress, especially if they’re taken away from their routine. So be sure that while the quarantine is still on, you slowly work them into a new routine at home. Keep them happy and occupied with toys like puzzles, balls, and ropes.
Remaining inside our homes is a challenge for everyone. But remember that our health workers and other front liners are working to keep us safe. Let’s do our end of the deal and stay indoors.
