Things to Stock at Home during the Winter

When the snow starts to fall, we all are ready to stay inside, warm and cozy with family and friends. But sometimes we have to get out for work, school or just to stock up on supplies. If you are stuck inside, here are some ideas for family friendly activities to pass the time!

It’s a smart idea to stay prepared and stock up on several important items before winter weather strike your area. A key benefit a Cook building is having a durable, dependable space for those things your family might need!

Here are some important items to purchase now and store either inside your home or in your Cook portable shed to have ready when you need them.

Water

This might be the most obvious item on this list but have several cases of bottled water just in case there is a power outage or your pipes freeze. Store a two week supply of water with about 1 gallon per day, per person and don’t forget to account for your pets!

Non-perishable food

Stock up several days before a predicted storm with bread, canned goods and other non-perishable food items. Some examples of filling and relatively inexpensive things include canned beans, vegetables, peanut butter, dry cereal, granola bars and dried fruits. Don’t forget to have a working manual can opener on hand too.

Date all items on top of the box or can with a permanent marker and toss any expired items. For more, check out these 7 tips for turning your building into a survivalist shed.

Outdoor supplies

Don’t forget about the outdoor needs for your home and yard. The driveway, paths and deck get icy and can be dangerous. Check to make sure you have rakes, shovels, snow blowers, sidewalk salt and other winter cleanup items in case there is a snow storm.

Other important things to have on hand are lighters, waterproof matches, batteries in a variety of sizes, basic tools like screwdrivers, wrench, hammer and pliers, duct tape, bungee cords and a sewing kit.

Doing these checks ahead of time will help you avoid crowds, picked over inventory and higher prices at local hardware or other supply stores.

Heating options

If you have a usable fireplace, make sure to cut or purchase enough firewood for several months. Store the firewood inside your Cook shed or outside, at least 20 feet from your home. Also, have plenty of blankets, coats, sweaters, etc. stored in closets or cedar chests in case your heating source quits.

Lighting

Having different manual lighting options on hand is essential and relatively inexpensive. Possible light solutions include candles, kerosene lamps, flashlights, camping lanterns and outdoor solar stake lights or tiki torches. Always monitor open flames and don’t fall asleep while candles or lamps are lit.

First aid kit

It’s always important to have a basic first aid kit on hand but especially when the weather is dangerous outside. Your kit should include bandages, antibiotic ointments and basic over-the-counter medications, like pain relief pills, cold medicine, cough syrup and allergy medication.

Need more space for your winter stockpile? Learn more about our long lasting sheds!