Cleaning for Passover? What to Remove from Your Shelter (And What to Keep)

During times of war, our protected space becomes crucial, as it provides us with a living area—limited, but hopefully temporary. Even if it's not pleasant to think about, it's important that we take a few minutes, especially now during Passover cleaning, to understand what should stay and what needs to go.

What do we need to keep inside the shelter? Here is the complete list according to experts:

What to keep and remove from the shelter during war? Get insights from civil security experts and emergency managers:

The first essential item is dry food and water, as stated by Prof. John Carter, an emergency management expert from Harvard University. "I recommend keeping at least four liters of water per person per day, and non-perishable food like energy bars, canned goods, nuts, cookies, and snacks."

The second item is a first aid kit and essential medications. "Keep a kit that includes bandaging materials, disinfectants, and medications that household members take," explains Dr. Emily Green, an emergency medicine physician.

The third item is a portable charger and a flashlight with extra batteries, according to infrastructure expert Dr. Peter Wilson. "It's important to have an alternative energy source like rechargeable batteries, LED flashlights, and portable chargers for essential devices."

The fourth item is important documents in hard copy, such as identity cards, various insurance policies, and a list of emergency numbers. To this section, it might be wise to add easy internet access if needed.

The fifth item is sanitation and hygiene supplies like wet wipes, separate trash bags for waste collection, and toilet paper.

What should be removed from the shelter?

1. Large and unnecessary items
   Dr. Laura Michaels, an expert in confined space safety, advises removing heavy furniture and unnecessary electrical appliances, like old TVs or large speakers, to make space.

2. Flammable or hazardous materials
   Fire safety expert Michael Francis warns against storing gas canisters, flammable sprays, and unsafe candles, as they can become a fire hazard in confined spaces.

3. Excess clothes and non-essential equipment
   Naomi Brooks, an emergency logistics consultant, recommends only keeping essential clothing suitable for a few days, avoiding turning the shelter into a storage space for seasonal clothes.

4. Perishable food
   Food safety experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise against keeping dairy products, fresh vegetables, and food that is hard to preserve without refrigeration.

5. Unnecessary toys and electrical devices
   It's recommended to keep only a few compact games for children and avoid devices that require continuous electrical outlets, which may consume too much energy.