Covid -19 has got things kind of messed up right now. Have you thought about how you’ll fare in cold weather with a house full of kids who aren’t going anywhere?

Have you thought about how things may be very different from last winter? Are you preparing for a winter of being indoors and not going much? Have you considered that it may be really tough to get some things from the store that you need? If electricity goes out, will your town or city be prepared to repair it in a reasonable amount of time?

Here are some things to consider doing:
Everyone needs two alternate cooking methods and fuel for each. This isn’t just because of covid. If the power goes out because of weather conditions, you may still need to cook. If covid makes it to where utility service companies don’t have enough employees, you may have to wait a while for restored service. And two methods of cooking isn’t difficult, you can cook over wood, gas grill (keep that tank full!) or a propane camping stove.
If you have an outdoor cooking area, it would be really good if you can get it covered so you can cook in all kinds of weather.


Make sure your home is insulated well and all the air leaks are taken care of. This will cut down on your utility bills.


Make sure your windows will open. Because if your house is insulated tightly, you need fresh air.


Check out your blankets, quilts and cold weather clothing to see if everyone has what they need. Who knows if you will be able to get to the store, if they will be open, etc. This kind of things probably won’t last for along time but when someone needs a coat, they usually need it right then!


Keep adding to your food storage but be sure you’re actually using it now. If you’re not using it now, you’re letting it get old. Create a home-grocery where you shop for the week’s meals. I know, you probably think you don’t have space for this. But you do.


Store water or find a way to collect it and purify it.


Save seeds if you grow a garden. Some seeds, no, a LOT of seeds were scarce this year. It may be that way next spring or worse.
Games and reading material should be updated and added to for winter. When a family has to stay indoors a lot there needs to be interesting projects to work on so research that now and gather together materials.


If you haven’t mastered cooking frugally, work on that now. Don’t make food that has to be kept and served again, work at making just enough. It’s a great way to conserve food.
Go ahead and make yourself or your family a great First-Aid kit and stock your OTC meds and tinctures now. Don’t wait til someone is sick.


Make a Get-Home Bag for your car. You’ll need to put all this in a bag and leave it in your car:
1. Stainless steel water bottle and water
2. Lightweight emergency shelter. There are tons of them all over the internet, you need a mylar blankie too. I have a shelter that fits in the palm of my hand when it’s rolled up!
3. High energy protein bars
4. Small, hand held battery powered radio
5. A solar charger with batteries
6. Walking boots/shoes
7. Multi-tool
8. Personal hygiene items
9. Pepper spray or other self defense item 10. Cash
11. Paper and pencil
12. Paracord
13. Whistle or other loud signaling device.
14. OTC meds ( if you have RX meds that you must have to live, I suggest you keep them on your person at all times but don’t leave them in your vehicle)
There are more and as I have time and think of more I’ll post them here! You’re welcome to post things here too that you think would be a good idea to get prepared before winter.