Preparing for winter II

LadyDee

Hi, came here to ask if somebody can tell me please whether you can use an electric blanket on top of a mattress topper? And which would be warmer - a feather one or fibre-filled one?

TIA

mardatha

As well as stocking up on tins, pet food, matches and candles, don't forget medicine. Prescription and OTC. If it snows and you cant get out then you need to have some in the house. For monthly meds you can collect every three weeks without it alerting your GP's system. But you'd need to do it now to have a month in hand for bad weather.

Toonie

bluebag wrote: »

Toonie, sorry the news was difficult, been there, done that sadly. I have since however been with the man of my dreams for the last 28years.
Get yourself an electric blanket hon ' tis just wonderful and warm, costs about £20 to buy and about 3p a night to run.

Try fleece tops for winter, as warm as wool but no scratchies. Simple to wash and tumble dry and cheap.

Thanks, I'm glad that it's done with and tonight we're talking to our friends and then it's just a case of other people finding out on the grapevine.

Also, thanks for the tip about the electric blanket, for some reason I thought they would cost a fortune to run.

Will have a look for a couple more fleece jumpers, I've got two which I wear around the house, but they are too big to go under my winter coat, so maybe some thinner layers would be better.

tugrin

Hi Toonie - try the Lands End sale for nice fleece shirts you can wear like a jacket - my 21 year old steals mine and she looks really quite stylish in them.
Electric blanket definitely for nights (try Freegle/ Freecycle for a newish one free- obviously!) and then save up for a Homefront (Amazon) heated throw for evenings and weekends on the sofa. Should cut the heating costs down and keep you cosy.
We're with you all the way so keep positive. x

Toonie

Thanks for the tip, I shall check it out.

I've just been paid some working tax credit which I was not expecting, so called them up. Apparently they underpaid me in the last tax year (when I was still working enough hours to claim it) and I am entitled to the money. I feel suspicious, as they c*ck things up so often, I don't know what to do with the money. Spend it on things for new flat (bedding etc) or chuck it my savings account, just in case they want it back.

And also, thank you so much for the support. I really appreciate all the kind words from everyone. You guys are great. :T

NualaBuala

Hi Winter Preppers! :wave:

I've really enjoyed lurking here and trying to catch up on all the tips!

I'm looking for a little advice for my sister who has a gap at her back door on the side near the top. It's an aluminium frame and has warped a bit so even when closed, there is a pretty big gap, over 1cm I think. Last year she stuffed a fleece throw over the door and the closed it but she's looking for a solution that won't involve hassle when she wants to open and close the door - any ideas? She was thinking of that squirty foam stuff maybe? The insulating strips don't seem thick enough.

I've been stocking up on throws, a couple of nice fleece blankets for my bed and a quilted bedspread. And some nice cosy PJs too. I can't believe I'm already chilly and it's only September - and I never switched from my medium weight duvet all summer. In the past I would have been roasting with that on! I've still got lots to do but haven't made a list yet.

I read that Ireland and the UK are set for another harsh winter because of low solar activity. I've no idea if these "experts" can be believed but I certainly want to be prepared for the worst. Yesterday on the news they mentioned this report which said we could have snow as early as October! :eek: There was another winter-related article yesterday that our Dept of the Environment thinks we should all be prepared with a barbecue to use in case of gas/electricity shut-offs. And we should know how to turn off the mains water in case of ruptures - Ireland suffered a lot with burst pipes and mains last year and some people were without water for ages. http://www.independent.ie/national-news/officials-tell-us-to-chill-out-this-winter-with-a-barbecue-2870628.html

• Householders should know how to turn off their water supply to avoid damage from ruptured pipes.
• Every home should have fuel, a shovel, salt, barbecue trays and water containers.

Oh well, at least today it's quite mild today. Time to start making my list though!

Justamum

If anybody is stocking up cat food for emergency winter supplies, MrT is selling Claude sachets (the 12x100g) ones for 45p. It's only on the ones with lamb and beef in though - the other two varieties are both £2.39 (which is still cheaper than most of them). Our cat seems very happy with it.

Gigervamp

NualaBuala wrote: »

Hi Winter Preppers! :wave:

I've really enjoyed lurking here and trying to catch up on all the tips!

I'm looking for a little advice for my sister who has a gap at her back door on the side near the top. It's an aluminium frame and has warped a bit so even when closed, there is a pretty big gap, over 1cm I think. Last year she stuffed a fleece throw over the door and the closed it but she's looking for a solution that won't involve hassle when she wants to open and close the door - any ideas? She was thinking of that squirty foam stuff maybe? The insulating strips don't seem thick enough.

I'd be worried about using that expanding foam as it really really expands! One idea I was thinking about for my door is getting those foam pipe insulating thingies and slicing it in half along the length, then sticking it to the door itself so it's half stuck to the door and half covers the gaps between the frame. It's hard to describe what I'm thinking, but I hope you can get the gist of it! Maybe that would help your sister.

Confuzzled

Gigervamp wrote: »

I'd be worried about using that expanding foam as it really really expands! One idea I was thinking about for my door is getting those foam pipe insulating thingies and slicing it in half along the length, then sticking it to the door itself so it's half stuck to the door and half covers the gaps between the frame. It's hard to describe what I'm thinking, but I hope you can get the gist of it! Maybe that would help your sister.

i had wondered if silicone gel like the stuff you seal the gap between the splashback and the sink with would work. this has an advantage of being waterproof and is much easier to remove in the future. i should think it would fill a 1cm gap, perhaps asking at a homebase or b&q might be an idea as well

Mumof2_2

Hi, do you mind if I join in too please? I have started preparing for winter - I buy Craghoppers clothes online when they are heavily reduced as find them so comfy and long enough for me and I picked up some lovely long length stretch trousers, another pair with winter lining (I already have 3 pairs but am out in all weathers a lot) and a really nice polo shirt for £40 - would have cost best part of £140 new :j!

Our house is draughty so I am thinking of getting fleece blankets to line the back of the curtains. Upstairs isn't so bad as we recently had new double glazing but downstairs is rather dire.

I look forward to picking up some top tips from you!