Preparing for Winter

i must say i don't envy those of you that have to drive. i've barely been out of the house for for a week now, though part of that has to do with buckling down to finish a TMA for my OU course but if i don't wander out too far i can't break my neck, freeze or spend too much money :rotfl:

even the wee one doesn't want to go out and play in it it's so cold so we've added wii fit and wii sports to her home ed lessons for some physical activity

i may have to wander out in a few days though, i could really do with some milk and i'm nearly out of cheese and onions (a few of the things i find necessary to make those things i've pushed to the back of the cupboard for ages more palatable) and we don't have any sweets in the house, i've had to resort to baking and we're nearly out of that stuff too :eek: don't really mind all that much i need to use it up anyway but i have the luxury of not having to go out in this stuff much, i really feel for those of you that don't have a choice... oh well, next year i'll be in uni full time and the wee one will be back in regular school so if it's rough next year i'll get my share then

til then, comfortably cozy and loving it

Thank you for the thanks. I get so worried about the elderly and especially when I heard about all the extra people who are likely to die this winter because of the cold. Maybe some of them just give up because of worries about their bills and because they are lonely

rosieben wrote: »

torch + spare batteries

Or better still, a wind-up torch. No batteries needed, no need to worry about spares, or checking regularly to make sure the batteries aren't dead.

chocolate! and maybe a couple of cereal bars

Wouldn't last a week in my car - someone would inevitably get the munchies and they'd be gone. Those dried, reconstitutable meals, though - well, they don't seem so appetising, so would get left alone - and would still provide needed calories in an emergency.

drinking water

Remember that bottles of water might well freeze in very cold weather - it wouldn't be a bad idea to have them wrapped up in the blankets.

An old coat is a good idea - handy if you just went out without realising quite how cold it was, but also extra insulation if you're stranded, or an extra warm layer on a child who's getting cold. A few pairs of old socks will do as hand-warmers, or as replacements if your feet get wet.

I also keep some towels in the car - they can double as blankets, or rolled up as pillows, or to dry off if you're caught in the rain, or to cover seats to keep mud off, or to cover a child who has thrown up all over their clothes...etc. They can be used in the same way as a bit of old carpet under the wheels for traction in ice/snow too.

And finally - important phone numbers! Breakdown recovery service, insurance company (and your policy number too) - I have these programmed into my mobile phone, but also a written note of them in the glove compartment, just in case.

I have a few wind up things here after reading someones thread about getting things in for unforseen events. It is reassuring, I wouldn`t have thought about that if it weren`t for mse

I was thinking that the likes of wii might be an idea for people who can`t get out. At least they would have something to do

frosty wrote: »

I keep little hottie handwarmers in the car,I saw them in costco.I cant remember how much they cost because I have had them a few years.

www.littlehottieswarmers.com they give upto 8 hours of heat.

Could you tell me a little more about these? I've had a look on the site but it isn't that informative--or more likely I can't find the bit I want as is my usual trick I know a few folk who work predominantly outside so these might help, even if I get them as prezzies for crimbo

ceridwen wrote: »

....people might slip and fall and I'd be wondering whether my insurance cover might "take a hit" on the other hand?

Does anyone know?

Not sure about the fertilizer, but an MP is doing something about clarifying the legal position on clearing your footpath. It was on the news this morning, bbc1 if you're interested, but I missed the gist