It’s starting to cool off out there. While we enjoy the last breath of summer weather and start to enter fall, it’s an excellent time to start checking items off your fall and winter preparedness checklist. As we head into winter, many parts of the world, especially the USA, are experiencing high levels of civil unrest. Many businesses have closed or are shut down due to the pandemic. People are flowing out of the cities—many permanently. Settling down in a new place takes time, and it’s doubtful that many have thought beyond just getting out and getting settled. 

This winter could be a difficult one. Between unrest, the pandemic’s effects on the economy, and the morale of people worldwide, supplies could be strained. People are likely to have to stay home more than they’re used to during the winter months, and there will not be many places to go to get out of the house. Many parents are facing the fact that they are going to be responsible for educating their children at home. 

This list is an overview of what you should think about and do to make sure that fall and winter go as smoothly as possible for you and your family. Although it’s impossible to plan for everything, you can take care of some basic needs and tasks that will make things easier, no matter what.

Your Vehicle

While many are not driving as much as they once were, some may find that they’re driving more due to work and school changes.

It can be easy to neglect your vehicle when it’s not used that often. Maybe you have the opposite situation and are racking up the miles due to a new or part-time job.

• When was the oil last changed? 
• Have the brakes been inspected or serviced? 
• What’s the condition of your tires? Do you need something better suited for snow and ice? 
• Are there any other issues you’ve been ignoring? 
• Is your spare tire usable? 

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Winter Car Kit

Traveling in the winter can be hazardous but necessary. Your winter car kit will vary a bit based on your climate and driving habits. You can get a base winter car kit and add to it or create your own from scratch. Here are some suggested items. Your needs may vary based on regional factors and how far you generally travel.

• Shovel. A folding entrenching tool is invaluable to survivalists and preppers. Folding shovels are easier to store and transport. 
• Windshield scraper.  
• Warm and waterproof gloves 
• Traction Mats  
• Tire Chains 
• A good  flashlight and extra batteries 
• A battery pack that can jump your car off in the case of a dead battery. Make sure to check your battery size so that you get one that is strong enough.
• Food 
• Water 
• A book or something for entertainment 
• Battery bank for cell phone 
• Emergency Bivvy 
• Small Radio 
• Matches and a  Lighter 
• Extra warm clothing 

Make sure you have the supplies needed to change a spare tire. A can of fix a flat or something to inflate a flat is another good idea. A small tire patch kit doesn’t take up much space.

The list above may sound like a lot but you would be amazed how well you can fit it in a vehicle. There may be some stash points in your car that you are not using very well if you take the time to look.

For a more extensive list of car emergency supplies, check out Roman’s “300+ Ultimate Car Emergency Kit Items”

House Maintenance and Repairs

Who hasn’t put off repairs and maintenance at one time or another? Sometimes you can get away with it without causing extra work, but often, it leads to a much higher repair bill. Just ask anyone who has ignored or not noticed a small leak or water intrusion issue.

• Look for decay and damage to gutters and roofs. 
• Clean gutters if needed. 
• Check kitchens, bathrooms, and basements for leaks. 
• Inspect your pipes and make sure they are insulated to prevent freezing. Insulation can come off over time, and rodents can damage it. 
• Clear debris from walkways and paths to prevent slip and fall injuries. 
• Check the health of any trees near your house. Trees falling in the winter is extremely common, but many such incidents could be prevented. 

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Power and Internet Outages

• Flashlights 
• Rechargeable batteries and charger 
• Emergency lights 
• Battery banks and power centers
• Internet hotspot or phone(s) that can be used as one.  

A power center can provide some backup power during brief to moderate outages. If you have a solar panel to hook it to, you can enjoy some power for the duration of a prolonged outage. Many power centers can be charged using your car’s 12V system, so you can plug the power center in when you’re driving to charge it. Around our house and farm, we use Jackery power centers. They are very reliable, lightweight, and easy to use. 

My new smartphone was a mere $80, and it will function as a hotspot with just one click. If you have decent cell phone service, this works very well for internet backup. When I combine my phone’s hotspot with my laptop, and the Jackery power center, I can keep working at home even if the power is out entirely. We also have some solar power for additional electricity.

If you have a desktop computer that you use to work from home and don’t have a laptop for backup, now’s the time to consider investing in a  Chromebook or laptop just in case. I’ve worked from home for many years, and I cannot stress enough how important it is to have even an inexpensive Samsung Chromebook on hand for when your main computer kicks it. A refurbished computer is a good option if you’re on a budget. Desktop computer towers offer more powerful processing for your money. 

Food and Household

Shortages are common, and this is likely to continue. That doesn’t mean that food and other items needed to run a household aren’t available. Even during the worst of the pandemic-related panic-buying shortages, it seemed that at least part of the outcry was from those who could not find a particular brand they preferred. At the same time, there were shortages of some things even if you were willing to buy a different brand. At the moment, it seems that the online availability of many items is much better than it was, and shipping seems to be somewhat reliable. With food costs rising every day, you need to inventory what you have and make a note of items you are low on or lacking.

I’ve found that ordering direct from manufacturers is one way to find what you want. Look for local and regional grain mills for flour and cornmeal products. In my area, we have a cheese factory that will ship. It’s only a few hours away, and the prices are reasonable.

Here’s a short list of some inexpensive staples that you can add to your stockpile right now. 

• Flour 
• Cornmeal 
• Beans 
• Chickpeas 
• Rice 
• Generic canned chicken  
• DAK Hams 

If you want some fast and easy-to-fix food in case of an emergency, I recommend purchasing freeze dried foods from Mountain House, Valley Food Storage, or Legacy.

Hygiene and Cleaning Supplies

• Bleach and  bleach tablets 
• Toilet paper  
• Household cleaners and disinfectants 
• Mops  
• Paper towels  
• Reusable microfiber cloths 

While the pandemic has leveled off and cases are decreasing in some areas, like any flu-like virus, there is a decent chance of a second wave during the colder months of the year. This could lead to another surge in demand for cleaning and hygiene supplies. Although it’s important to have these items on hand, I advise not overbuying. I’ve been writing about prepping and preparedness for many years, and it amazes me how many people go overboard when it comes to toilet paper and bleach. Toilet paper takes up too much space to hoard the 2,000 rolls that one lady claimed she had. Buying a pallet of bleach is not advisable either, considering that it degrades over time. Bleach tablets last longer and take up much less space.

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Medical Needs

At our house, we like to go through all of our medical kits at least once a year. Doing so allows us to replace items that are out of date and replace anything that we’ve used up. If you or anyone in your home requires prescription meds, you should get them refilled as soon as you can, just in case.

Water and Water Storage

It’s always important to consider water. With inclement weather a common occurrence in the winter months, it’s wise to keep some water storage containers filled just in case. Make sure you have a water filter on hand in case you come under a “boil water” advisory. Many cities and small towns have very old water systems and pipes that regularly have issues. I live in the South, and it’s not uncommon for towns to have 100-year-old or older pipes and water systems that are still in use. Water main breaks happen at least a few times a year in the town closest to us.

During an emergency, you can store a lot of water in your bathtubs by using a  WaterBob.

Heating Systems and Fuel

Many people rely on electric heat, and most have no backup heat source. Electric heat is excellent. We have an electric furnace in our house, but we also have a wood stove that we use often in the winter. The electric heat is nice, so we don’t have to get up three times a night to stoke the fire. My husband and I spent many nights getting up and doing that before our house was finished and we had that nice electric furnace. Backup heat can be tricky. Propane and kerosene heaters work, but they can be smelly, and they require ventilation and care to use safely.

If you can manage a backup heat source, then do so.

No matter what your heat source, if you own or rent a house, chances are that some maintenance is required.

• Change air filters. 
• Clean heating ducts with a shop vac. 
• Check your chimney and clean it if necessary. Even if you cleaned it at the end of the last wood-burning season, you should still check and ensure that nothing is blocking it. A good chimney cap can keep some birds out, but it doesn’t work for all birds. Birds and bird nests can be in your chimney and cause a lot of trouble if you light a fire. 
• Order heating oil or propane if needed. If you do this while it’s still warm outside, you can sometimes get a discount. 
• Order or cut last-minute firewood. If you cut it now and get it in to dry, it might be cured enough to burn late in winter, but it will be too green to burn at first.

Downtime

This winter may be one in which many of us are stuck at home for most of it. Everyone needs something to do that they enjoy. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, many people turned to vices that can be harmful when not controlled or indulged in moderation.

I like to read and write, so I’ve put together a nice rotating library of new and used books over the past year. I donate or give books to others when I’m done with them as I don’t have space to keep more than 100 books. E-readers are great for some books or if you don’t want to deal with paper books. Used copies are less expensive than electronic books, so I tend to buy older paperbacks.

If you have a hobby, budget for some supplies or gear so that you have something to do that will support your overall health and well-being. Keeping a healthy mindset and outlook is an often overlooked part of being prepared. Attitude can make the difference between surviving or not.

Kids and teens also need things to do that are not dependent on computers.

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Homeschooling

The school situation varies by state and even by county, but it’s clear that many parents will have to homeschool. I was homeschooled from 7th to 12th grade and went to college afterward. The biggest challenge is that many parents have to work outside the home or have jobs that, while done at home, require them to not be distracted during certain hours. Some parents team up with other parents to share the responsibility of watching and teaching kids during the day.

Regardless of how your family chooses to deal with homeschooling, you must consider what supplies you need. Computers and tablets were sometimes hard to find at the beginning of the pandemic. You may also want to plan some fun educational activities.

A desk or workspace that is comfortable and not overly distracting to children is essential. Each child needs a space, even if it’s small.

Pets and Livestock

• Keep additional food on hand for all pets and livestock. For livestock, ideally, you would have enough on hand to get through the entire winter. 
• Make sure pet and animal housing is adequate for the cold months. 
• Order any common medications or treatments your animals need. 

Pet food can become scarce during times like the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. At one point, I was aware of millionaires who claimed they couldn’t find food for their dog. If meatpacking plants shut down again, the shortage will be worse.

Pet foods keep longer than you might expect. I keep our dog food in sealed plastic barrels with diatomaceous earth mixed in. Fancy pet foods with many fresh or low preservative ingredients do not last as long in storage as others. During a SHTF situation, you’ll be glad to have something to feed your pets. I like to feed our dogs  Diamond Naturals, but for long-term storage, I get Purina Dog Chow. Freeze-dried pet food is a good choice if you don’t want to compromise quality and can afford it. However, I’ve found that it’s only practical for a small dog unless you have a lot of disposable income.

Hay replacer is a good choice for those with sheep, horses, goats, or cattle. You can order it online in pellet or cube form for about the same cost as getting it from a brick and mortar store.

It is easy to put back a lot of food for small pets like rabbits and hamsters. Since these pets eat so little at once, it is best to store food in smaller containers. You can vacuum seal foods in freezer bags and open as needed or redistribute into regular freezer bags. This allows you to buy in bulk and keep food fresh.

Clothing and Footwear

A lot of the shoes and clothing that we all love is made in China. Although they’re still making it, that doesn’t mean that it’s being produced at the level it once was. When stores were closed, there was a lot of excess consumer goods sitting in shipping containers and warehouses. Right now, you can get some great deals on winter shoes and clothing.

Blankets

• Fleece
• Wool
• Cotton for layering or in warmer climates.

Staying warm is important. I try to keep fleece or wool blankets on hand. I used to make quilts, but I just haven’t had the time over the last few years. Fleece is nice because it is inexpensive and comes in various weights. I like wool but often buy cotton blankets that can be layered because I live in a southern climate. Our temps can dip to –10°F, but our cabin is well insulated, and with wood and electric heat options, wool blankets are too much.

Defense and Home Security

• Consider adding window security film to first story windows.
• Evaluate how  burglar proof your home is and make necessary changes.
• Review what weapons you have on hand.
• Reinforce doors with a product such as  Door Armor Max.

Civil unrest is occurring in small towns and cities all over the USA. Now is a good time to go over how well you can defend your home. Create a defense plan with your family and make sure that everyone knows it.