Cold and flu shelf
A sick-day shelf before you need it: tissues, a thermometer, fluids, easy food, and the medicines your doctor is fine with.
Amounts below are for 4 people, 1 week. They are planning estimates; change any of them on your list.
Saves the 11 must-haves, 4 easy-to-forget items and 1 things to do to a list on this device. Upgrades are up to you. Then shop the list item by item and tick things off.
At a glance
- 🔎 Facial tissues1 box
- 🛒 Thermometer1 thermometer
- 🔎 Pain and fever reliever1 bottle
- 🔎 Cold and flu medicine1 box
- 🔎 Cough drops1 bag
- 🛒 Electrolyte drink mix28 packets
- 🔎 Saltine crackers2 boxes
- 🔎 Bouillon or broth3 cartons
- 🔎 Herbal tea1 box
- 🔎 Hand sanitizer2 bottles
- 🛒 Disinfecting wipes1 canister
🛒 3 exact products we picked · 🔎 8 Amazon searches, so you choose the brand and size.
Must-haves (11)
Facial tissues
Get about 1 box
4 people × 7 days × 0.03 = 1 box (rounded up)
- Our pick
Thermometer
Braun digital thermometer (PRT2100US)
A fast digital thermometer for mouth, armpit or rectal use.
Good for: Sick days
Get about 1 thermometer
1 thermometer for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Pain and fever reliever
Get about 1 bottle
1 bottle for the group
Amazon search: “pain reliever”
- Check with a pro
Cold and flu medicine
Check with a pharmacist if someone takes other medicines.
Get about 1 box
1 box for the group
Cough drops
Get about 1 bag
1 bag for the group
- Our pickCheck with a pro
Electrolyte drink mix
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, lemon lime, 50 packets
Electrolyte drink packets. Ask a doctor for babies or anyone on fluid limits.
Good for: Heat and stomach bugs
Get about 28 packets (2 × 16-pack)
4 people × 7 days × 1 = 28 packets
For heat and stomach bugs. Ask a doctor for babies and people on fluid limits.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Saltine crackers
Get about 2 boxes
2 boxes for the group
Bouillon or broth
Get about 3 cartons
4 people × 7 days × 0.1 = 3 cartons (rounded up)
Amazon search: “chicken broth”
Herbal tea
Get about 1 box
1 box for the group
- Must-have
Hand sanitizer
Get about 2 bottles
2 bottles for the group
- Our pick
Disinfecting wipes
Clorox disinfecting wipes, 3 x 75
Three canisters of disinfecting wipes.
Good for: Cold and flu season
Get about 1 canister
1 canister for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Easy to forget (4)
Popsicles
Our rule: two each for a hot day or a sore throat.
Get about 8 popsicles (1 × 24-pack)
4 people × 2 = 8 popsicles
Amazon search: “ice pop molds”
- Our pickCheck with a pro
Masks
3M 8210 N95 masks, 20-pack
NIOSH-approved N95 masks for dust and smoke.
Good for: Smoke and cleanup
Get about 8 masks
4 people × 2 = 8 masks
Ready.gov lists masks to filter contaminated air. EPA says a well-fitted N95 can reduce wildfire smoke; kids need their own sizes.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Lip balm
Get about 4 tubes
4 people × 1 = 4 tubes
Saline nasal spray
Get about 1 bottle
1 bottle for the group
Upgrades (3)
Humidifier
Clean it as the maker says.
Get about 1 humidifier
1 humidifier for the group
Amazon search: “cool mist humidifier”
Covid and flu home tests
Get about 2 tests
2 tests for the group
Amazon search: “covid flu home test”
Heating pad
Get about 1 pad
1 pad for the group
Things to do (1)
- ✅ Write down medicines and dosesInclude allergies, doctors and pharmacy numbers.
More in health and hygiene
General planning information, not professional or medical advice. A list does not guarantee anyone’s safety. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.
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