Items You Might Need If You’re Stuck At Home For Two Weeks
On certain occasions, the public may be asked to stay in their own homes for a variety of reasons, whether it is because of health concerns, political issues, weather, and more. However, if the public is recommended to do so, there are a number of items that are important to have if you're staying at home for around two weeks. Take a look to see what they are and if you can check any of them off your list.
Enough Food For Two Weeks
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, it's recommended that households stock up on around two weeks of food and water per person in the case of a recommended shut-in.
It's suggested that people buy non-perishable yet still healthy food, such as rice, beans, pasta, and oats, in order to maintain a healthy diet. However, it's also recommended that people don't neglect snack food and other treats that can help your mental state and morale during a quarantine.
A Supply Of Your Own Water
Even though it's unlikely that the United State's water supply would be affected in a situation involving a quarantine, that doesn't mean it's unwise to have a supply of your own water.
Although the US Department of Homeland Security suggests a two-week supply, Dr. Manisha Juthami from Yale School of Medicine notes that "We are fortunate to live in a country where most of the tap water is drinkable." However, those who live in rural areas with limited supplies should definitely store more than enough water.
Copies Of Your Medical Records
In the event of an emergency that requires residents to remain indoors for some time, it's recommended that you get copies and electronic versions of your health records from doctors, hospitals, etc.
This is so, in case your health was in danger and you needed medical care, you could provide a physician with all of the information that they might need to help you. Many of those documents contain vital information that could be used if you were unconscious or able to respond to a doctor.
Mental Health Is Crucial As Well
Considering that most people don't like to be cooped up for extended periods of time when you're in a situation that might require you to stay home for a few days, it's important to think about your mental health.
While some obvious things to do might include watching television, it's also suggested that you have other forms of entertainment such as books or board games on hand. If you have children with you, it's extra-important to keep them preoccupied.
Take Stock Of Your Personal Medical Supplies
In a situation when you're advised not to leave your home, it might be difficult to get your hands on medical items that you might not have thought about before. These include contacts, contact solutions, hearing-aid batteries, and more.
It also wouldn't hurt to purchase some every day over-the-counter medicines such as pain relievers, stomach relievers, and fluids that contain electrolytes. However, it is advised that you refrain from purchasing face masks, as they are needed for select groups such as medical professionals.
Have A First-Aid Kit
While stuck in your house, if someone happens to get injured, but doesn't need immediate medical attention, it doesn't hurt to have a first-aid kit on hand. A simple and well-maintained kit can provide a solution to a multitude of health problems ranging from cuts and burns to headaches and allergies.
You can either buy one at the store or stock one up over time with the essentials that you feel would best suit you and your family.
Try And Get A 30-Day Supply Of Your Prescription Medications
According to Marguerite Neill, an infectious disease expert at Brown University, people should almost always have at least a 30-day supply of their prescription medications.
Furthermore, the United States Department of Homeland Security recommends that people regularly check the number of their prescriptions to make sure they have a constant supply at home. Although many of these prescriptions have quantity limits, it's possible to ask your doctor for an exception during a time of need.
Have Enough Household Hygenic Products
Although most families may only buy one or two more things of hand and dish soap than they may need, if you're preparing to stay indoors for some time, you might want to buy a little extra.
On top of hand and dish soap, other products are important such as toilet paper, tissues, feminine care products, and diapers. Nevertheless, it's important to remember not to hoard items such as these, as other people need them as well.
Buy A Water Purifier If Your Concerned About Tap Water
If you're still concerned about the amount of water that you have, there's no reason stock up on countless water bottles considering it's such a waste of plastic.
Instead, purchase a water purifier such as a Brita so that you can purify tap water if you are concerned about the water quality in your area. On top of that, a Lifestraw can purify almost all water sources instantly, so you can pick one of those up as well.
Take Care Of Your Dog!
While people need a lot of things when it comes to being stuck inside of their house, a lot of people forget that their dogs have needs too. At the top of the list is food, which we all know they eat a lot of, so make sure that they have more than enough.
On top of that, it might be nice to buy them extra treats and some new toys to help them stay preoccupied. Finally, it's beneficial to try and get them some exercise by whatever means you deem fit.
Don't Forget About Baby Products
Of course, if you have young children and babies, it's crucial to have enough of the things that they need. This usually means diapers, baby formula, baby wipes and more.
Although most people already have more than they need because they're dealing with a baby, just in case you aren't expecting to leave the house for an extended amount of time, it's crucial to have far more than you need. Yet, again keep in mind other people need things for their babies too.
Cat Litter Is Necessary Too
While cats are typically "hands-off" pets that don't require all that much attention, if you have an indoor cat, one thing besides food that you don't want to run out of is cat litter.
If you end up running out, this can create a significant problem in your house that might result in your cat going to the bathroom wherever it wants. Not only is this disgusting, but it can also spread germs around your home, which is the opposite of what you want.
A Thermometer Can Come In Handy
Especially if there is a sickness around, having a thermometer can make all of the difference. Usually, some people might have someone to feel their forehead to see if their "warm," this is not a credible way to see if someone actually has a fever.
However, a thermometer can give you an accurate reading of someone's temperature to see if they are sick. So, if there is a sickness, it's essential to check everyone's temperature around you regularly.
You'll Likely Want High Speed Internet
Although a vast majority of the world has access to the Internet, if you're not confident in it, changing your provider or upgrading your subscription might be a good idea. During a period of isolation, the Internet can come in handy in a variety of ways.
Not only can it be used as a source of entertainment, but also communication, as a news source, and a way to request help. Furthermore, it can be utilized to order products online such as food or other essential items.
Laundry Detergent May Be More Helpful Than You Think
While sanitation is paramount in a situation when you are staying in your home for a period of time, hand sanitizer and hand soap aren't the only things you need to keep clean. Having Enough laundry detergent to last is essential as well.
You must wash off the germs that your clothes may have accumulated throughout the day. It's advised that when purchasing detergent, you buy the concentrated kind, which has proven to last longer.
Get Ready For Each Day Like You're Going To Work Or School
Although it might be easier to lounge around in your pajamas all day, having a productive morning routine can greatly help your mindset. This means waking up at the same time, eating a healthy breakfast, and getting ready for the rest of the day.
Even if you aren't going out into the world, it can help your mental health. Furthermore, if you're working from home, it can also help increase your productivity and make you look presentable, especially if you have video conference calls.
Get Some Exercise
Whether you're a regular at the gym or don't work out at all, exercise is a great way to improve your mind, body, and spirit. Especially in a situation when you're forced to stay inside the same place, exercise couldn't be more needed.
It's not impossible either, even if you don't have any at-home equipment. There are hundreds of videos online that show how to do quick and practical exercises without any equipment or even items that you have lying around your house.
Stay Social
If you're with other people, it's important to spend time together and keep each other preoccupied. However, that doesn't mean that you have to be around each other every second, but it's nice to have people to interact with.
On top of that, even if you aren't leaving your house, it's incredibly helpful to stay in contact with your friends and family that aren't with you. Play an online game with them, text, give them a phone call, whatever keeps you connected!
Pick Up An Old Or Try A New Hobby
Maybe you have some old painting equipment or were a voracious reader before you started working. Take this time to get back in touch with things you loved to do or have always been interested in trying.
It's a great way to pass the time, keep your mind off of the situation, and learn some new things about yourself. Sure, binging Netflix shows can be nice at times, but it can get old after a while!
Take Care Of Things You Have Been Putting Off
Whether the baseboards haven't been dusted in years or your closet is spilling out with junk, utilize this time to handle things you've been putting off. No matter how monotonous they may be, there really is no better time than when you're stuck inside your house.
Not only will you be checking things off of your to-do list, but you'll feel productive, and have a sense of accomplishment when you've completed a long-overdue task.
Bring On The Board Games
Unless you have a family that religiously plays board games in their free time, the chances are that your closet is full of them, and they have been slowly collecting dust. What better time to bring them out when playing outside is no longer an option?
Surely, there's one or two out of your collection that everyone can agree upon, and its a great way to bond with one another. Plus, many board games are designed to get your child thinking!
Get Your Body Moving By Having a Dance Party
Considering that all you need is a portable speaker or maybe just a phone, you can have a dance party wherever you are! This is a great way to get little kid's bodies moving when they restricted to being inside.
Put on some of your child's favorite tunes and let them tucker themselves out through the art of dance. Not only is it good exercise, but it will help make time feel like it flew by!
Everyone Can Get Involved With A Jigsaw Puzzle
For most people that have children, and even if you don't, it's not uncommon for people to have at least one jigsaw puzzle lying around the house.
Jigsaw puzzles are great because everyone can do them on their own time, and all you have to do leave them out on a surface for anyone to try their hand out. Furthermore, your whole family will have a sense of accomplishment when everyone is smiling over the finished product.
Give Each Other Makeovers
If you have any on hand, take out your old makeup, nail polishes, brushes, and whatever else you have on hand. Then, lay out a sheet or create an area to keep the ground and walls clean and let your kids have at it.
Whether they are a boy or a girl, they'll enjoy being allowed to not only use makeup for once but use it however they want. Whether they want to actually do their own makeup or just go crazy with it, their creativity will shine through.
DIY Lasers
A lot of kids dream about being able to effortlessly cross through a maze of lasers like in the movies, well now they can!
All that's required for this activity is some regular painters tape and allow your child to hang it up however they want between two walls, although preferably a hallway. Then, watch as they struggle to make it through without getting caught! Additionally, they get to enjoy themselves by ripping it all down afterward!
Reading Out Loud
Although some children grow out of this past a certain age, if they're young enough, don't forget to read to them out loud! Few children dislike having a good book read to them, and it's great for their brain's development.
However, if your child is a bit older and has moved onto more advanced books, there's always the option of listening to an audiobook or an appropriate podcast. This can also be done while they're preoccupied doing something else.
Bring The Outdoors Inside
Something a lot of kids like to do, even if it's just in the yard, is camping. It's a positive way for children to enjoy something out of the usual while also using their imagination. So, if you're in a situation when you're stuck inside, bring the feeling of camping indoors.
You can do this by either setting up a real tent, making one of your own, just whatever feels best. You can also make traditional camping food inside to really feel like you're out in the wilderness!
Sardines In The Dark
This game works best in the dark, but you can play it at any time if you want. Try to get your house as dark as possible by turning off all of the lights. Then, one person is chosen as the "hider" and goes and hides somewhere within the house.
Then, everyone else goes and looks for the hider. However, when someone finds the hider they continue to hide with them. The last person searching is the loser.
Make Your Own Origami
Although a lot of origami may seem to complex with small children, there are actually several projects that anyone can do, especially with the help of a parent. All you need is some construction paper, different colors if you want to spice things up, and then hop on the Internet.
There, you can find countless different projects for you and your child to try, that can then be used as decorations throughout the house. It's a project you can keep forever!
Make Your Own Individual Pizzas
If you already have the ingredients or can make a quick trip to the store, making your own individual pizzas is always a great way to make lunch or dinner fun and interesting. All you need is some dough, sauces, and toppings, and let your kids get creative with it.
Another major benefit is that your kids are less likely to be picky about what they're eating for dinner. Because what kid doesn't like pizza?
Fingerprint Art Is Always A Hit
One extremely popular arts and crafts to do inside is known as fingerprint art. How it's done is that children dip their fingers in paint and place it on a piece of paper. They can then draw on and around their fingerprint to create whatever they feel like.
Furthermore, there are also books dedicated to teaching children how to make a variety of fingerprint art in the form of animals that could be fun to learn as well!
There's Nothing Wrong With A Little Screentime
Although it's not the best idea to spend all of their time staring at a television or a smart device, there's also nothing wrong with snuggling up to a good movie every now and then.
However, if you're going to chose to put on movies, make sure that they're as educational and fulfilling as possible. Of course, it can be hard to avoid using screens as a way to entertain your child, so you might as well make it worth it.
Make A Sensory Bin
All it takes is some rice, a few toys, and some other treasures, and you have a sensory bin that will entertain your little ones for ages. Simply mix the toys are to hide them in the rice and let the kids used their hands to find the toys you hid for them.
To make it even more fun, use toys that they haven't seen before but are still small enough to be hidden in the rice. Nevertheless, you'll probably have to vacuum after.
Mad Libs And Other Word Games Are Always Fun
Considering that Mad Libs have been around since the 1950s, it's a proven method used to preoccupy not just children but adults too. It's also a great way for children to work on learning their grammar terms.
There are other creative word games you can play such as the story game, in which one person writes the first sentence of a story and the next player adds on the second sentence, and so forth. The final story (which usually makes no sense) is then read out loud.
Make Your Own Clothes!
Although this doesn't mean you have to fashion your own clothes from pieces of scrap cloth (unless you want to), there's plenty of things you can do to enhance your regular clothes.
While you might want to use an inexpensive white t-shirt, there's so much you can do to it. You can use tie-dye, use spin-art, or fabric markers to create your own unique clothes. All of the other students will be jealous that their parents weren't as experimental as you!
Have An Indoor Scavenger Hunt
If you are having a scavenger hunt, whether it's inside or outside, you and your young ones are sure to have fun. All you have to do as a parent is select items around your house and write them down as a list on a piece of paper.
Then, set your little ones loose to run around the house to see who can collect all of the items first. Don't forget to award the players with a special prize once they have acquired all of the items.
Bake Something Delicious
A lot of kids enjoy the prospect of baking. Not only is the process fun, but they know that there's usually a tasty treat waiting for them at the end.
Baking is also the perfect way to introduce youngsters to the kitchen and to teach them about different ingredients, measurements, and techniques. Plus, there's no limit to the things that you can bake! While your goods are baking, it's also the perfect time for another quick activity.
Put On A Play Or A Show
To see how creative your kids really are, ask for them to put on a play or some type of show for you. To make it even more interesting, allow them to raid the adult's closets so they can wear some unique costumes.
If you really want to have your children think, sit down with them and help them write a script to memorize or something like a choreographed dance. Then, sit back and enjoy the show!
Write A Heartfelt Letter
There are few things that grandparents or other relatives and close friends appreciate from small children more than a handwritten letter. Unfortunately, these days, a lot of children are doing this less and less.
So, if you're stuck inside, there's no better time to take the opportunity to write letters to your loved ones. Your children can also decorate them however they want to show their personality. Besides, it's also an excellent way for your child to practice their handwriting.
Have A LEGO-Building Contest
If you have or have had young children, it's more than likely that you have a stash of LEGOS somewhere around the house. These are the perfect toys to break out on a day stuck inside the house.
You can follow the instructions to build something incredible or just use your imagination to see who can construct the coolest creation. The opportunities are endless, so they're definitely worth the investment! Just watch out when you're walking barefoot because you do not want to step on one!
