UNIVERSITY ^of ARKANSAS

Personal Pandemic Preparedness

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STOCKING SUPPLIES

Having extra supplies on hand will make it easier to stay at home for extended periods of time. Also, supplies will be readily available to you in your home as local stores may run out of supplies and shipments delayed.

Stocking Food

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and soups

• Protein and/or fruit bars

•   Dry cereal or granola

•   Dried fruit

•   Peanut butter and/or nuts

•   Crackers

•   Rice and noodles

•   Canned or jarred baby food and formula

•   Canned juices

•   Bottled water

•   Other non-perishable foods

•   Pet food

Stock up with food items that you normally eat so that you don’t have a dietary crisis on top of an emergency crisis. Stock up for at least 2 weeks of food for the household. Don't forget to include meals for children or others who would normally eat at school or work.

Stocking Health Supplies

•   Prescription medications

•   Medicines for fever (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)

•   Anti-diarrheal medication

•   Fluids with electrolytes

•   Vitamins

•   Thermometer

•   Glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment

•   100 surgical masks and 20 N95 respirators per household

•   Latex gloves

Remember to keep up-to-date medical histories for each member of the household.

Stocking General Supplies

•   Toilet paper

•   Diapers, if needed

•   Feminine hygiene products, if needed

•   Tissues

•   Cleansing agents/soap

•   Alcohol-based (60%-95%) hand wash

•   Portable radio (and batteries)

•   Flashlights (and batteries)

•   Garbage bags

•   Manual can opener

•   Games, DVDs, arts & crafts, activities for children

Tips for Stocking Supplies

•   Break the task down into stages

•   Write down what you eat over a 2-week period

•   Add a few extra items  (food, health supplies, and other supplies) on each shopping trip

•   Look for specials and bulk purchases

•   Remember to add lunches for children who otherwise eat at school or daycare

•   Quick Start for Stocking Up Food: buy rice, beans, noodles, soups…these items can stretch a family meal

•   Rotate items so to keep your supplies refreshed.

Suggestions for Limited Storage Space

• Don’t have room for water storage, then invest in collapsible water containers, blow-up swimming pools, etc…you can fill these later when needed

• Stock up on condensed foods…dried foods take up less space than canned or boxed items

• Consider taking individually wrapped items out of their boxes (e.g. granola bars or protein bars)…the box that contains them simply takes more space

• Seal supplies in food grade buckets, new trash cans, or plastic bins…seal the lids with tape

More information about stocking supplies for personal pandemic preparedness is available. Click on links for additional web-based resources.