Stay safe. Be prepared for the next swine flu outbreak.

The swine flu, H1N1, as with all influenza outbreaks tends to follow seasonal cycles, meaning there is a good chance it will return again, and public health experts speculate, it could have morphed into a more severe form. This is not a reason to panic, but it is a good time to establish preventive measures and prepare for potential future outbreaks.

You can prepare yourself for this or the next influenza outbreak just as you might for other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters. Stock up on water and non-perishable foods such as ready-to-eat canned foods and juices, protein or fruit bars, cereal, dried fruit and nuts, crackers, canned or jarred baby food and, to be sure, pet food.

Other emergency supplies that you should have on hand for an extended stay at home include: soap and water, medicines for fever, a thermometer, antidiarrheal medication, vitamins, fluids with electrolytes, tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers. And if someone in your home requires them, prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment.