If you are a responsible gun owner, you already know that your guns should remain locked at all times. People who are stressed out beyond their usual levels should never have access to guns during an emergency. A gun in the right hands may keep your family safe, but in the wrong hands it could be devastating.

Some other items you should have on hand when sheltering in place are reasonable supplies of sanitary pads/tampons, deodorant, gel based hand cleanser, baby powder, baby wipes, diapers and toothpaste.

Deodorant and toothpaste will just help you and those you are sharing your home with feel better. Baby wipes and hand cleanser will be excellent to help you all keep clean in the event that you have no running water and must conserve your drinking water. A little baby powder combed through the scalp will absorb natural oils and keep the greasy hair at bay. Sanitary pads and diapers aren’t just for women and children. Hopefully you will never need such a large dressing but they do make excellent dressings for bleeding wounds.

Speaking of wounds, a first aid kit is vital. If you have an accident in your home and emergency services cannot respond, you’ll need to use some first aid. You should always have the following on hand:

Band Aid Liquid Bandage and assorted sizes of adhesive bandages, an ACE bandage, large gauze pads, Hydrogen Peroxide for cleaning cuts or wounds, Neosporin antibiotic ointment, Aspirin and/or Tylenol and a large scarf or bandana that can be used as a sling, tourniquet or to wrap a wound.

Other than water, the second most important thing you’ll want to have at home is food. Extra water and cooking appliances may not be available, so you should be prepared for that eventuality. Since you won’t know how long you’ll be sheltering in place, you’ll want to use your drinking water sparingly. Forget washing dishes or taking baths, those are luxuries! When laying in supplies, remember to keep them non-perishable, healthy and the kind that don’t need water for preparation. Consider having some or all of the following foods on hand:

Dried meats or jerky, dried fruit, Saltines or crackers, peanut butter, baked beans, canned soups (not condensed soups), canned tuna, ham or chicken. It should go without saying that you’ll want a dependable manual can opener too. If you really want a dependable meal, buy a few military Meals Ready to Eat (MREs). They’ll be sure to keep your belly full and your strength up.