Preparing for winter III

slm6002

Just a quick report that i now have some tinned potatoes to try out - looking forward to seeing what they are like

abwsco

I "think" I'm all done apart from:

Kitchen radiator being replaced for a new one which will be loads more efficient.

Ceiling to be taken down on flat roof extension, insulation to be put in and then reskimmed and decorated.

Restock medicines and tins.

However, have to help ie nag:o DD into getting ready. Still on the lookout for big cheap fleeces for lining her curtains. Also keeping an eye out for a bargain electric blanket.

fuddle

DH has been told about a wireless adaptor that is programmed into the boiler. It is for a room thermostat meaning the radiators will only click the boiler on the once when the room thermo senses it needs to. At the moment we have radiator thermostats and the boiler kicks in when each room cools down. I'm not making myself clear am I? lol

Anyway, it's going to cost £100. I am going to have to find out whether it will work. That £100 outlay will reduce our bills... if it will work but I think in all seriousness I'll go back to plan A and that is just not turn the heating on till bath time/bedtime at night.

Kitchenbunny

Right, I think it's time for my winter preparations to start. The first decent day in June and I'm thinking about winter - typical me! Still, it won't have very many items on it. I can't do much to the house, so all my preparations will involve my storecupboard and food preparation, and of course, clothing and footwear. So let's get to the list:

Storecupboard
Tins of fruit & veg are needed, enough to last for a few days (so at least 3 of each different thing)
Packets of dried food like soups, dried mushrooms & vegetables, also dried fruits which are great sources of fibre.
Cereals for breakfasts. DH's fave and cheapo cornflakes/branflakes for me - fortified with iron at any rate.
2 x 2l bottled water - we very rarely get water cuts, but you never know when it might be needed...
Meat for the freezer, portioned up ready to use for stews.
Stock cubes, herbs & spices, plus salt & pepper
Orange Juice (with a long date on it) to help with vitamin c
Possibly multivitamins & cod liver oil tablets

Clothes
Check all socks for holes, darn any useful looking ones and replace the others with new
Jumpers, ditto
Jeans - make sure none need patching and all are sturdy and draught-free!
Shoes - re-sole any as necessary and fit with thermal liners. KB needs new trainers/walking boots

Additional:
Start a small pot of additional money in case of higher than normal fuel costs.

Wow, I can't believe I'm doing this prep now, with the windows open... Strange! But winter is coming...

K xx

Rainy-Days

Might be a bit of useful information to someone, but regarding the suede protection spray, I have checked on the internet and you have to keep it 'topped up' as after a while the 'water repellent' qualities wear off. So it is looking like I am going to have to reproof all of them. I did one pair today with some left over spray from last year. I just have three pairs of boots and three pairs of suede gloves to be re-done.

By the way does anybody know who is selling jeggings this year? Tried to track some down last year but couldn't find any at all. I find them useful if you are wearing long boots as the jeans don't pucker up at the knee when pulling your boots on.

prepareathome

Fuddle we have one of those wireless thingamabobs in the hall ( so we never have to do near the boiler, although we do check all is well every week and change from summer to winter usage as needed and to be honest am still not sure what difference that makes )- we set it and each room radiator will switch on and off when it reaches the temp - we leave temp on 18c and have done since last Sept and never once put it any higher just putting on layers if need be, but it was just enough to take chill off nicely, and very often felt nice and warm ( and much better now hubby has the idea that you reach for a fleece when you feel chilly not the dial)

prepareathome

All emergency sites incl government advise you to have a min of 3 days food and water in the house in case of problems as they state if there was something awful happen it could take maybe up to 3 days for the infrastructural they have to swing into place.

So you are best to start to aim for three days, then a week, then a month, then two months etc. if you want and can afford it

I keep dreaming of digging a cellar under my house and having one of those fantastic stores rooms you seem in so many american houses - oh why wasn't my house built with one until then my store cupboard is spare bedroom which was the study, now dumping ground and full of bookcases which will slowly have books removed and piled on floor to make room for food - so far have one bookcase half full, well its a start......

Byatt

PAH, that's interesting about the 3 days. I have started my store cupboard and I already feel more in control, as Fuddle has said, it gives you a warm glow and a feeling of security. I am going to use your useful tips on water too.

My income is going to drop drastically from September, I'm kind of trying not to dwell on it as there's nothing I can do to stop it, but I can prepare food wise etc.

edit: Docky, you are so cute. xxx

prepareathome

Just remember a day usually has 3 meals in it so for 3 days that's a min of 9 meals with all the trimmings. Then if you are stuck in the house even on your own never mind with kids you will feel like eating more - comfort eating so you want so treats in ( the hard part is keeping them there ). Then there are cups of tea, coffee, hot chocolate as well - so it can be quite a lot per person per day. Water is usually given at 2lts per person per day, but I know we go through more than that - I drink that alone in a day and more as I don't like soft drinks that much prefer plain water, so work out what you drink ( remember all drinks you add water to) then you need water to get washed in and water to do washing up in - I work on min of 5 ltrs per person per day and that is cutting it fine. Don't forget pets need food and water as well, so include them in your three day plan...........

prepareathome

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/Dealingwithemergencies/Preparingforemergencies/DG_177092

Preparing for having to stay in your home in an emergency

Some emergencies may mean that you have to stay in your home. You can prepare for this by:

knowing where you can find torches and blankets (for light and warmth)

keeping a wind-up radio in your home so you can stay tuned in to information about the emergency

keeping a stock of ready-to-eat (eg tinned) food and drinking water for your family in case you can’t leave your home for several days ( me - don't forget a few ordinary can openers if you normally use an electric one not much use if power goes off, better to have a few incase one is faulty - note to self you need another couple)

getting a landline telephone handset that draws power from the phone line (a cordless handset may not work if there is no mains power)

Being in your car when an emergency happens

Having an emergency kit in the boot can help you if you are in your car when an emergency happens. It should have things like a torch with spare batteries and warm clothes.

You can find out about driving in severe weather and what else you should have in your car emergency kit on the Highway Agency’s website.