If things get tougher?

CoD_2

rosieben wrote: »

My BIL bought me one of those last year as we often have power cuts here. They're so much safer than the old 'upright' type which used to frighten the life out of me when I used to go trekking.

mind you, I've moved house recently and now live just opposite DSis and BIL and they have a Rayburn....... (insert smiley here!)

we have a rayburn but it doesn't work in a powercut :eek: depends on the ignition, ours needs electric to light, some don't

HTH

Daisymac_2

OK at the risk of sounding very stupid and being short of time and not being able to read this whole thread in my lunch hour, do we really need to buy things like Head Torches, stock up on storable foods etc etc, I live in the middle of nowhere but cant even remember having a powercut for more than about 5 minutes. What I suppose I am asking is .. have warnings been issued about power shortages etc ?, just so I can get prepared if so ?, I mean I have seen somewhere on this thread that someone is buying a survival kit, like a proper one for climbers etc with water hydration tablets, dried food satchets etc, is there something I dont know about going on ??

rosieben

CoD wrote: »

we have a rayburn but it doesn't work in a powercut :eek: depends on the ignition, ours needs electric to light, some don't

HTH

the one I mentioned is a solid fuel and it's usually lit around beginning of October and stays 'in' till spring; though bil lets it out to clean flue now and again obviously. But its so cold this year that BIL lit it a couple of weeks ago.... It runs all their ch and gives them than enough water for their needs. They keep a kettle on the top, so water is always half ready for a cuppa and sis uses it for cooking too; I would love one but they're a bit of work ......

ailz95

Daisymac wrote: »

OK at the risk of sounding very stupid and being short of time and not being able to read this whole thread in my lunch hour, do we really need to buy things like Head Torches, stock up on storable foods etc etc, I live in the middle of nowhere but cant even remember having a powercut for more than about 5 minutes. What I suppose I am asking is .. have warnings been issued about power shortages etc ?, just so I can get prepared if so ?, I mean I have seen somewhere on this thread that someone is buying a survival kit, like a proper one for climbers etc with water hydration tablets, dried food satchets etc, is there something I dont know about going on ??

There's been talk about shortages in gas. Russia is getting a bit threatening over who can have its gas, and although we don't buy from them, there will be a knock on effect. As we still have a lot of gas fired electric power stations it could also cause shortages in electric too. That's apart from the huffing and puffing the elec boards do about supply and demand in winter.

I think it's a case of the more prepared we are the less likely it is to happen (fingers crossed)

Ailz

rosieben

Daisymac wrote: »

OK at the risk of sounding very stupid and being short of time and not being able to read this whole thread in my lunch hour, do we really need to buy things like Head Torches, stock up on storable foods etc etc, I live in the middle of nowhere but cant even remember having a powercut for more than about 5 minutes. What I suppose I am asking is .. have warnings been issued about power shortages etc ?, just so I can get prepared if so ?, I mean I have seen somewhere on this thread that someone is buying a survival kit, like a proper one for climbers etc with water hydration tablets, dried food satchets etc, is there something I dont know about going on ??

as ailz has said, the world 'power' situation is changing and we will almost certainly be affected by it in some way or other.

people are more conscious of possible problems with water supply too, particularly in the areas that were badly affected by floods last year (and this). We weren't directly affected by the floods last year but I have bought some water purification tablets and store some bottled water just in case. One of the pumping stations in Gloucester was only just saved from flood water - if that had gone down it would have affected people over a much wider area.

for me its a case of being prepared for some of the most likely problems we might have in future so my priorities are - alternative cooking (gas camping stove), alternative lights (torches and batteries, candles and matches), lots of warm clothes and fleeces, hot water bottles, and a good supply of food (in case I am ill / weather is too bad to get to shops / fuel or power strikes which might affect supply chain albeit only short-term).

In fact this is all part of my normal winter preparations - see the Preparing for Winter thread - apart from buying water purification tablets,

mardatha

Rosieben, my coal - fired stove has been off one day this year, and that was for the sweep. It heats the water & the central heating, but I can't cook on it. I would rather cut my (husband's) leg off than get rid of it, and all it needs is a fill of coal once every 24 hours.

rosieben

mardatha wrote: »

Rosieben, my coal - fired stove has been off one day this year, and that was for the sweep. It heats the water & the central heating, but I can't cook on it. I would rather cut my (husband's) leg off than get rid of it, and all it needs is a fill of coal once every 24 hours.

They are great aren't they? I had one many years ago and it was great to come down to a warm kitchen and a warm kettle on winter mornings. I used mine to cook with though I sometimes struggled to get the oven temperature quite right; I made meringues in the bottom warming oven and the flue pipe that went out of the back wall was just right for making yoghurt. It would be my first choice for heating if I had the chance.

suki1964

We do have power cuts here - very common as all lines are overhead and farmers tractors and power lines have this nasty habit of colliding

One very handy wee gadget I have bought and placed around the house is these
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001151&productId=1500234747&langId=-1&engine=froogle&keyword=Philips+White+Plastic+Spot+on+LED+Sensor+Light

Now these are great for us as I have elderly parents who aren't so steady on their feet. I have them in the hall ways, along the stairs etc, at a height the dog cant set them off. Also great for keeping electric costs down as there is no need to turn hall lights on going room to room. Also I find them great for when I get home in the early hours - no fumbling looking light switches and falling over the dog waking everyone.

No screws needed - sticky pads on the back for fixing to walls and magnetic fixture to the battery housing

mumoftwo

mardatha wrote: »

Ranita, buy a small bistro type camping stove. They run on calor gas and are amazing. You can buy packs of the gas in argos, and maybe the stove as well. buy the "bistro" one, they are safer cos they're flat.

great idea! Can you just store the gas cylinder in the garage? Won't be breaking any laws or anything? I am forever the worrier. going to look out for one. thanks:T

elona

I have just bought a couple of boxes of candles. Ever since DH "tidied" I cannot find a thing.

Need to buy a couple more hot water bottles as well ready for the winter.

If anyone has solar lights in the garden then they can bring them inside and use them indoors if there is a power cut.