The World Health Organization on Friday raised the global risk posed by the new coronavirus from “high” to “very high,” the most serious assessment in its four-stage alert system. With fears of a global pandemic mounting, now is the time to consider preparing for a possible local outbreak at home.

Health officials say there are several ways to protect yourself and your family from potentially catching the new coronavirus — or COVID-19, the formal name of the new virus. Arguably, many are common sense, and most of the measures you should take at home to prevent illness aren’t much different from those you’d take to protect yourself from the flu.

Here is a checklist of steps to take at home, and supplies to keep on hand should you or your family members become sick. Above all, health officials say it’s important to not let fear or emotions dictate your response to a potential threat.

“The mantra is, ‘Keep calm and carry on,'” Dr. Marguerite Neill, an infectious disease expert at Brown University, said in an interview with The New York Times.

Food And Supplies

To prepare for a pandemic, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends that you have on hand a two-week supply of food and water.

Related: It’s Not A Question Of If Coronavirus Will Spread To U.S. Communities, But When: CDC

Think about adding non-perishable foods to your pantry, health officials told NPR, and have at the ready your go-to foods for illness, such as chicken or vegetable broth and crackers.

Medications

The Department of Homeland Security recommends periodically checking your regular prescription drugs to ensure you have a continuous supply at home. You also should have these non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand:

Pain relievers and fever reducers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen Remedies for upset stomachs Cough and cold medicines Fluids with electrolytes Vitamins

Health Records

Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other sources, and store them for personal reference.

Cleaning Products

When it comes to coronavirus, most household cleaners — such as bleach wipes or alcohol — will kill the new coronavirus, Stephen Morse, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center, told NPR, adding even wiping surfaces down with soap and water should do the trick.

A few cleaning staples to have on hand include:

Antibacterial soap Hand sanitizer with high alcohol content Disinfecting wipes All-purpose cleaner with bleach Laundry detergent Dish soap/detergent

Face Masks

Contrary to what many may believe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say wearing a face mask is not an effective way to prevent yourself from catching a respiratory virus such as coronavirus. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it.

However, a face mask should be used by people who have coronavirus and are showing symptoms. This is to reduce the risk of infecting others.

Other Supplies

A good rule of thumb is to always keep survival and first aid kits on hand in case of emergencies, according to the American Red Cross. You should also double-check your supply of the following products:

Toilet paper Tissues Feminine care products Pet supplies (food, medications, etc.) Baby supplies (diapers, formula, etc.)

Check Your Behavior

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the CDC always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Earlier this week, a top official at the CDC said during a news conference it’s only a matter of time before the new coronavirus spreads to communities across the United States. Communities, schools and businesses should begin preparing now for “the expectation that this could be bad,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. The symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Both are infectious respiratory illnesses, but they’re caused by different viruses.

Both cause fever, cough, body aches and fatigue, and can result in pneumonia. Both illnesses can sometimes cause vomiting and diarrhea.

As of March 6, there are 245 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. The virus — which originated in Wuhan, China — has infected at least 101,000 people, and more than 3,400 people have died.

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