Preparing for winter II

kinkyjinks

lutzi1 wrote: »

I've also just had a thought - we'd better check our pets have warm beds and aren't lying in a draft as the nights get colder.

LOL my Jack Russell is my hot water bottle in the winter, no chance of her lying in a draft!!! Glad everything worked out good GinnyK, pretty worrying :eek:

JenniO

Justamum wrote: »

No, that's definitely not positive . In fact it's positively negative :rotfl:

I think you're right though - you also wouldn't want to risk a leak into your boot either.

I wasn't sure either way so I did a little check on this for myself and thought I'd share. This is American information but should still apply for petrol:

Gasoline Was Made to EXPLODE!
Information that could save your life or prevent serious injury
Thousands of people are treated each year for burn injuries related to the misuse of gasoline. It is important to remember that gasoline has only ONE proper use - to power vehicles or machinery. Remember that gasoline is highly volatile! Just one gallon of gasoline is equivalent to 14 sticks of dynamite in explosive force.
GASOLINE SAFETY:
Vapors from gasoline are also dangerous! Gasoline vapors are heavier than air; they flow invisibly along the ground and can ignite from a flame, spark, hot surface or static electricity causing a shattering explosion. When using gasoline, follow these safety tips for your protection
• Never use gasoline around a flame source. Be particularly aware of sources such as matches, cigarettes and pilot lights on stoves and water heaters.
• Only use gasoline outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Start barbecue fires with fuels labeled as charcoal starters - NEVER USE GASOLINE.
• Fill the tanks of gasoline powered equipment such as power mowers, when engines are turned OFF and cold. Running engines can spark and cause ignition of the gasoline.
• Don't transport gasoline in your car. A fiery explosion may result if there is a collision or if vapors escape. (Yea! I'm redeemed!)
• Never siphon gasoline by mouth! Even a few drops inhaled into the lungs may cause death.
• To clean grease off hands, use an industrial strength hand cleaner. NEVER USE GASOLINE.
• If gasoline is spilled on clothing, remove it immediately. Place clothing outdoors for several days before washing and drying so that gasoline vapors can evaporate. (Clothes dryers can catch fire if vapors are not allowed to evaporate first - even if the clothing has been washed!)

Source: http://www.franklinvfd.com/fire_prevention/images/Gasoline%20Was%20Made%20to%20EXPLODE.pdf

seafarers_wife

fedupandskint wrote: »

Hi, you're sounding very prepared Can I ask where did you get your ice shovel from? I would like one of these too

I have some road salt ready and a snow shovel and it was really icy round here last winter and it would be great to get one of these.

I'm nearly ready now for winter - just going to put the flannel bedding back on today as I was cold last night and as I'm full of cold I want to have a flannel cuddle instead of cool cotton

i just bought it from the local hardware store. they kinda saw me coming i think when i said i was preparing for the worst, but they did deliver the road salt for me even though i only live round the corner. i suppose calling it an ice shovel is a bit misleading, its just a very heavy duty spade with deep sides for shoveling things.

seafarers_wife

lutzi1 wrote: »

I've also just had a thought - we'd better check our pets have warm beds and aren't lying in a draft as the nights get colder.

my cats already sorted, ive a huge bean bag with a duvet and a quilt on it and he curls up in there so you need to feel for him before sitting down in case you squish him :rotfl: he also sleeps at the bottom of my bed so hes going to be fine!

mcjordi

i got some dishwasher salt today.. was laughed at when a lass at asda i knew asked what it was for lol

ermmm to put in my dishwasher lol... narrr it melts ice when the snows been... her response well its not snowing :rofl

happyin_devon

purpleheather2810 wrote: »

The boiler is in the kitchen - we have got the BG homecare insurance and I'm not sure if it gets a free check every year?? No open fire or fireplace here. It's a 70s ex-council house.

yes,the bg homecare insurance includes a yearly safety check,just ring them up/check website to find out when its due.

smileyt_2

Ginny, I am so glad your family are ok. That is really scary. The landlady is also very lucky because I think she could have been facing a manslaugher charge if your sil had died. I had a blocked fire in my bedroom years ago when I lived in a rented house. I used to switch the fire on to warm the room up before I got out of bed ... I thought I was just a lazy oink because I was finding it increasingly more difficult to get out of bed in the mornings. Turns out the chimney was blocked and CO was seeping into the room. The saving grace was that I was so poor at the time I would only leave the fire on for 30 mins max.

Anyway, all's well that ends well, thankfully. Perhaps she could be persuaded to give a month's free rent as compensation ....

cloudberry45

Today was the first time I felt cold when having a shower. I can put throws/blankets on me when sitting or sleeping but not alot else I can do when showering! :eek: Gonna have to put the heating on next time!!

mineallmine

The weather has turned much colder here, am wishing I'd starting preparing earlier. Not to worry, better late than never. So my sig says to stock up on medicines, pet stuff (cat litter became scarce as people used it to clear paths) and thermals. So tomorrow, off to the shops to:

- buy cold remedies, syrups and stuff
- pick up some pet food (find a place to store spare pet food in the house)
- check what thermals we have, especially for dog walking before going out and buying any more.

If you're looking for a carbon monoxide detector, we have one of these (also sold at B&Q):
http://reviews.qvcuk.com/1690/555284/reviews.htm - this is handy as if you go away you can take it with you to make sure its safe there too. I think this is an important discussion we've had especially as many of us are sealing up gaps all over our homes. So for piece of mind they are worth it. I've suffered poisoning together wtih loved one when we rented. His symptoms were sickness, mine were extreme tiredness. We asked for the letting agency to send an indepdent gas checker bod (not the landlords) and he immediately condemned the boiler. So stay warm but also stay safe. Wish Martin could blag some of these detectors as part of his giveaways. :A

katholicos

I'm hitting and running but just wanted to say that i have ordered some thermal 'lady janes' this evening, haven't ordered the tops yet, they will have to wait for another week. It felt quite chilly in the house today and the veg growing in the garden is all starting to wind down and many of my toms are still green...will make green tom chutney or something if they don't start going red in the next couple of weeks...a couple of my courgette plants have finished producing and there is just one left that i will leave for a week or two. I ordered my shallots, onions and garlic a couple of days ago, so they will likely be planted next month ready for overwintering. Still have the heating off, but the evenings are getting colder in the house. Trying to manage a while longer before heating the house though. Have a good weekend everyone!