How to prepare for power cuts this winter?

amcluesent

So, assuming that our clapped out national grid will fail this winter, what's the best way to prepare for the black-outs? I heat by gas, but cook by lecky.

Currently on the shopping list -

Basic £30 UPS for the computer, so it won't get data corrupted by the power going off suddenly.
End-of-season sale gas BBQ to give some basic cooking
Tilley Lamp for the living room with 5 gallon drum of paraffin in the garage
Bulk buy candles for elsewhere in the house.
Collecting bottled water as and when.

Also

Wash out 1litre milk bottles and fill with water and keep in freezer to help keep food frozen for hours. Have a duvet handy to wrap fridge/freezer while the power is off.

mech_2

Well I'm not going to do anything as I'm quite sure the grid will be just fine.

savemoney

Have a nice log burner to keep warm. Plenty of candles spare. Windup lantern, and 2 windup torches. Plus plenty of spare AA batteries and 3 other torches. I have had a couple of powercuts in my old house so am ready

retepetsir

I think your going slightly ott...

savemoney

It mentioned this other day in DM. Without the alarmist warnings from DM I think ist good practice to have a backup as I said I have had a few powercuts and it wasn't pleasant after 30 mins or so without power so I tend to have some backup lights. I remember blackouts in 70's and hell we are havinga lot of discontent fo late although that was down to 3 day week and strikes etc rather than in this case very little slack in the system

fatlad1971

I have a small generator that will power virtually my whole house
:cool:

lauren_1

We are well prepared, solar lights, wind up torches, candles and camping stoves.
Nothing wrong with going ott, after all your the one who is going to be up the creek without a paddle if any do happen

mech_2

Well I have camping stuff if the worst comes to the worst. No need to do anything differently there. The food in the freezer I can't do much about.

What reassures me is that if it was in the Daily Wail then it's almost certainly not true, so no need to worry.

chickflick

have i missed something wat is supposed to happen?

lilac_lady

In the 70 power cuts were frequent. I remember using candles and a camping stove. Power cuts may happen but some candles and a way to heat up a tin will see you through. Remember the matches!

savemoney

Back to the Dark Ages: National Grid raises the spectre of blackouts this winter


Homes could be plunged into darkness this winter as the nation faces the shocking prospect of power cuts.

The warning, following the release of grim industry figures yesterday, will dredge up memories of the last electricity crisis in 1974.

The figures from the National Grid suggest that the country could be crippled by energy shortages when the colder weather bites because there is so little spare capacity.