what to buy for a winter storm

For a winter storm, focus on staying warm, fed, hydrated, and safe if power or heat go out for several days. You want enough supplies to comfortably shelter in place and a basic kit in case you must travel.

Core home essentials

• At least 3 days of water : about 1 gallon per person per day, plus extra for pets.
• 3–7 days of non‑perishable food that you can eat with little or no cooking:
  • Canned soups, stews, beans, vegetables, fruit
  • Peanut butter, nuts, jerky, protein or granola bars
  • Crackers, cereal, instant oatmeal, dried fruit
  • Shelf‑stable milk or milk alternatives, juice boxes
• A manual can opener so canned food is actually usable.
• Basic kitchen backups : matches/lighter, foil, paper plates, plastic cutlery, paper towels.

Heat, warmth, and light

• Extra blankets , sleeping bags, and warm layers (thermal top/bottom, wool socks, gloves, hats).
• Safe backup heat if possible:
  • Wood for a wood stove or fireplace
  • Indoor‑safe space heater with fuel (follow all safety instructions)
• Flashlights or headlamps for each person, plus extra batteries. Avoid candles if possible (fire risk).
• A battery‑powered or hand‑crank radio to get weather and emergency updates during power/phone outages.
• Fully charged power banks for phones and small devices.

Health, safety, and hygiene

• A stocked first‑aid kit : bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, any prescription meds (at least a week’s buffer).
• Any critical medical items : inhalers, insulin supplies, EpiPens, etc.
• Hygiene supplies : hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toilet paper, trash bags, menstrual products, diapers if needed.
• Masks or respirators if you might use generators or be around others in shelters.
• A multipurpose tool or Swiss‑army knife.

Home and car prep items

• Rock salt/ice melt and a snow shovel to clear steps and walkways.
• Car windshield scraper , small shovel, and a bag of sand or kitty litter for traction.
• Extra gas if you rely on a generator or need to drive after the storm (stored safely, outside living spaces).
• Printed emergency contacts and local non‑emergency numbers, in case your phone dies or networks go down.
• For pets: extra food, water, medications , puppy pads or litter, and a warm place to sleep.

“Nice to have” comfort items

These are not critical but make being stuck inside much easier:

• Shelf‑stable comfort foods : cocoa mix, tea, coffee, cookies, instant noodles, baking mixes.
• Low‑tech entertainment : books, puzzles, card or board games, downloaded movies/shows.
• Extra layers like slippers, hoodies, and a dedicated “storm blanket” to keep one room cozy.

If you tell a bit about your living situation (house vs apartment, car or no car, how cold it gets where you are), a tailored shopping list for your specific winter storm can be sketched out.