Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

gemmaj

We have started to use candles around the bath when we have a bath rather than using the electirc light.

Something I found out on a fire safety course which I didn't know before; the little nightlights that come in a foil tray - the foil tray doesn't count as a candle holder, so they still need to be placed on a heat-resistant mat/holder. Apparently fires have been started when the nightlights have got hot enough to burn through the bath and fall in, onto the floor
:eek:

Like I said, I never knew this (I thought the little silver holders were enough) so I thought I'd share it

mhoc

gemmaj wrote:

Something I found out on a fire safety course which I didn't know before; the little nightlights that come in a foil tray - the foil tray doesn't count as a candle holder, so they still need to be placed on a heat-resistant mat/holder. Apparently fires have been started when the nightlights have got hot enough to burn through the bath and fall in, onto the floor
:eek:

Like I said, I never knew this (I thought the little silver holders were enough) so I thought I'd share it

Thanks for this, ours sit inside decorative stones or I float them in bowls of water

Mary.

EagerLearner

Very interesting post :T and the top tips I have taken from it so far are these (we live in a rented basement flat) - we will now:

- Put foil behind radiators (either glue some foil to sturdy cardboard, or buy ready-made radiator foil from B&Q).
- Use the oven for as many meals as possible in one go
- Leave oven open after cooking
- Reduce clothes wash temperature to 30°C
- Put water left over from boiling kettle into a thermos
- Insulate the post flap with brush-like draft excluder
- Reduce temperature on the hot water dial

Before this post, we already did the following:

- Replaced all light bulbs with economy bulbs, apart from dimmer in living-room as this can't be used with economy bulbs
- Use mini-dehumidifiers from Woolworths, then buy refill crystals as needed. We use two in storage cupboards in the hall, and one in the entrance area to the flat which is small but damp.
- Use cheap nightlights in living room and before bed... warm and needless to say very romantic
- Don't leave lights on if you have left the room
- Make sure each clothes wash is full - I have noticed the electric meter ticking away during a wash - has anyone noticed how quick the units tick then???
- Turn off electrical items that are on stand-by - especially overnight
- Use a bamboo steamer from ASDA (was about £2.97) and has 3 layers - best thing I have bought for the kitchen in the last year! It took persuasion from Mr EL but sooooo worth it :T You can cook almost any vegetables in there, plus salmon etc too - just place whatever needs most intense cooking on layer 1 (like potatoes) then say carrots on layer 2 and asparagus on layer 3.
- Use rechargeable batteries (slightly off topic I know, but better for the environment and saves more money than it uses up in electric cost. You can get battery chargers with lots of rechargeable batteries included - then one charge does loads at the same time. You will then wonder why you ever paid good money for 'throwaway' batteries - has saved us a small fortune with digital cameras etc)

Hope this helps in some way! :beer:

mhoc

maryb wrote:

I thought it was just me who cooked in my coat. Mind you that's often because if I don't get started the second I get in from work I run the risk of running out of steam completely especially when the kitchen is like an icebox and i just don't want to get up out of my chair

Funny thing is I can remember my mother doing exactly the same thing - do we all turn into our mothers?

If you cook in your fake fur, even when the kitchen is ice cold, it makes you cook a proper meal. You cant just do beans on toast when you have gone to the effort of dressing up to cook:rotfl:

Mary

mirry

just got lovely thick lined curtains for my daughters bedroom from charity shop for £4 !!! They look brand new (so I will tell her they are ).

me and hubby are going to check out the log burners this weekend cos he delivers timber to the building trade so can get alot of damaged wood for free.

Last night was the first evening I actually felt cold , I live in Hampshire.
A large thick dressing gown is ideal for sitting around.
Ive washed all the sleeping bags ready for use on the sofa.

Theres no way Im allowing the gas company to take my money !

goonlord

Make sure you don't leave phone chargers etc. plugged in when not charging a phone as they use electricity on their own I believe...

starlite_2

Does anyone know if this is the case with extension leads? We have several around the house, some of which have 6 plug sockets in, half of which are unused. Do they take any more energy or not? thanks.

EagerLearner

Hi all - where can I get a postbox draught excluder?

Also, is there a similar thing to stick to the bottom of the door? I am not as crafty as others here to make my own so this would be more practical for me...

tirednurse_2

EagerLearner - Wilkinsons have letter box draft excluders. They also have the ones that you fix to the bottom of your doors.

mirry

can any one tell me is it illegal to collect logs from the woods, ones that are just laying on the ground ? My hubby thinks it is illegal but I cant see why if they are dead ?