This topic is about finding effective ways to store and manage a growing collection of ostomy supplies, especially when space is limited and there's a need to keep an emergency reserve due to potential winter storms. Here are some helpful tips and insights shared by others:

1. Custom and Household Storage Ideas:
- Consider redesigning your bathroom with floor-to-ceiling cupboards and a hidden compartment behind the shower.
- Use a small wheeled cabinet for irrigation gear, store hernia belts in the wardrobe, and place unopened incontinence pads on top.
- Utilize cool basement rooms, under-bed bins, closets, antique dressers, linen-closet shelves, extra suitcases, or steamer trunks. Keep suitcases near the bathroom for easy access.
- Avoid using the attic unless temperatures remain moderate, as excess heat can reduce shelf life.

2. Stock Rotation and Shelf Life:
- Most appliances have a 5-year shelf life. Practice "first-in, first-out" by stacking the newest items at the back and the oldest in front.
- Hollister products have an obvious expiry date. For ConvaTec, the expiry is coded in the Lot #: the first digit is the year, the letter is the month (A = Jan, B = Feb…), and the next digit(s) is the day. Add five years to determine the expiry.

3. Controlling Inventory Flow:
- Decide on the number of months' supply you want to keep (many opt for 1–6 months). If you exceed this, delay orders until your stock decreases.
- Some people request the full insurance allowance every cycle, while others skip shipments when their cupboards are full.
- Prepare "grab-and-go" emergency kits with essentials like barriers, pouches, adhesive remover, skin prep, and wipes for your car, suitcase, bedside, or disaster bag.

4. Insurance and Supplier Strategies (USA Examples):
- Private insurance often covers more than Medicare, so stock up while coverage is generous.
- Medicare typically allows 20 one-piece pouches OR 5 wafers + 20 bags per month, plus listed accessories, though quantities vary by state.
- Suppliers like Edgepark, Liberator Medical, and MMS charge based on these limits. Some users report low on-hand counts to receive needed shipments.
- If a supplier no longer carries a product or has inconvenient scheduling, consider switching vendors, as most accept Medicare/insurance claims.

5. Donation and Reuse of Excess:
- Donate unused items to organizations like Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW-USA), OstoGroup, or local ostomy-support meetings where members can try unfamiliar products.

6. Sample Sources and Product Mentions:
- SALTS Healthcare (UK) offers extensive sample kits internationally.
- Mentioned brands/products include ConvaTec one-piece systems, Hollister drainable and "Pouchkins" pediatric closed-end pouches, Coloplast systems, Duoderm, and M9 Deodorizer Drops.

7. General Preparedness:
- Keep at least one month, preferably several months, of supplies in a protected, cool, dry place to prepare for weather or shipping disruptions.
- Regularly rotate your inventory to avoid expired stock while maintaining a buffer for yourself before donating extras.