Preparing for winter III

Dustykitten

thriftykitty wrote: »

Hi, lurked here for a little while now so thought I should post!

Just need some more thick socks for my walking boots to keep my tootsies warm when the snow comes and I'll be on my way!

Welcome aboard. I bought these socks a couple of weeks ago for my walking boots and they are the warmest socks I've ever had.

Ellidee wrote: »

Dustykitten - just a thought- you might be able to get to your corner shop when the weather is bad BUT the delivery vehicles may not be able to get to the shop.

Good point. Shop is usually very well stocked and milkman managed everyday in the snow last year. I think I'll defrost one of the freezers next week and dedicate a drawer to milk and bread though to be used and replaced on a monthly basis to keep a stock of those.

Other items I'll just keep a rolling stock.

Last roll of insulation going into the loft on the weekend:j

SpikyHedgehog

Got DS1's boots from Cotton Traders today - quick delivery!

BitterAndTwisted

Rainy-Days wrote: »

I know some of you on here have said today about loss of power, what the question is, is this possible, I mean could a loss of power completely take out appliances?? It's just the thought of all that preparation and food and everything and we would be right up the creek!

It's not the loss of power that makes appliances fail. It's when it comes back on that causes the trouble.

lizzyb1812

Tugrin - I see no ads, just links to other parts of MSE. Try looking at settings re pop-ups? I think this subject came up in the Workhouse thread, not the latest one the one that closed today. Try looking for posts by Squeaky, I think he had a solution (sorry if I'm completely off track, but worth a try)

toottifrootti

savingqueen wrote: »

Your list is way bigger than mine!!!
Not sure if thats a good thing or bad thing!! Lots of luck completing it.

thanks saving queen none of it is particularly difficult except that I am disabled by bad health so things take me much longer and some things I just cannot do which is really frustrating:eek: And I have moved since last winter so needing to do lots of stuff that didnt need doing in my last place,
I will keep picking away at it and hope that I get some of it done before the bad weather hits

Today I bought long lined curtains for the sittingroom - the only pair that dunelm had in my size:( thank goodness tjey were my colour and I liked them:D
got more candles and a few more food bits - will get freezer stocked in 2 weeks time, need to meal plan before then:eek::rotfl:

bravobeastie

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

It's not the loss of power that makes appliances fail. It's when it comes back on that causes the trouble.

You can buy extension leads that protect from power surges. Our washing machine would go into test mode and we bought one of these and no problem since.

rising_from_the_ashes

Rainy-Days wrote: »

I know some of you on here have said today about loss of power, what the question is, is this possible, I mean could a loss of power completely take out appliances?? It's just the thought of all that preparation and food and everything and we would be right up the creek!

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

It's not the loss of power that makes appliances fail. It's when it comes back on that causes the trouble.

A well packed (ie full) freezer will keep stuff frozen for up to 24 hours provided the door/lid isn't opened.

Having been through the experience of having lost foods due to a power cut and having the horrible experience of a) chucking rotting stuff out and b) trying to list it all for the insurance claim ..... I can advise it's a great idea to keep an inventory of what's there. (I don't really bother about the odd loaf of bread, HM dinner etc, but certainly meat etc).

It's a good idea to unplug electrical products (especially things like PC's, TV/Sky which would be really expensive/a pain to replace) as when the power goes on there can be a power surge which can damage them (and will often be what "finishes" the freezer off ) - you can also get power surge protector sockets.

I have 2 of these (one with the pc & "bits" in and the other with TV, Sky, DVD etc) http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9823659/Trail/searchtext%3EEXTENSION+SOCKET.htm (1/2 price just now) and I must say they've been brilliant - we often short power cuts here.

HTH

Note to self: get another surge protector for bedroom TV/Sky box.

rising_from_the_ashes

Just had a quick look on e*bay (as I need one;)) and came across a couple of pretty good deals on them:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Way-Surge-Protected-2M-Extension-Lead-Trailing-Socket-/150494225725?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item230a27a53d (£5.50 - 4 sockets)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-6-WAY-POWER-SURGE-PROTECTOR-MAINS-EXTENSION-LEAD-2M-/120792213191?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item1c1fc6e6c7 (£5.50 - 6 sockets)

And my personal favourite - as you can turn each plug on individually:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-WAY-MULTI-SOCKET-EXTENSION-ADAPTOR-SURGE-PROTECTOR-/300525801603?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_PowerAdaptors_SM&hash=item45f8bbd083 (£5.85 - 4 sockets)

There were a few cheapers ones but the sellers didn't have what I'd call "great" feedback so worth checking if you're looking.


ETA: off to get one now ..... the thought of losing one of my Sky boxes is my worst nightmare as we don't get terrestrial tv here!

beautifylife

Thanks Tugrin for your response to my post #444. Just catching up here. Do you or anyone else know the best place to buy/get electric throws?
My oil heater is just run on electric but filled with oil, it is quite small but reasonably effective just wary of those running costs.

I've managed to keep the heating off so far (although been very tempted). Already started wearing my thermals and using hot water bottles while sitting down.
My concern is that if the temp drops and I don't heat the house, it can become so cold throughout, when the heating goes on it could take ages to heat through. What are your thoughts?

Is it a better strategy to keep it on a low constant heat? The heating system I have doesn't allow me to regulate the temp centrally (it's too old), I can however adjust the radiators.

One great tip I wanted to share here (I guess most of you are doing this already but for those who aren't) was that I put my thinner duvet underneath my bottom sheet (it's feather one) and my heavier one on top. It was wonderful, like being on a cloud. Usually I just put the two together but it gets pretty heavy! So this works perfectly very cosy especially with hot water bottle, fleecy pJs!

VJsmum

Go to Dunelms and buy tension rods for dining room and DS bedroom
Buy fleece blankets to hang off said tension rods
Buy a couple of 5l bottles of water - just in case
Replace empty gas bottle in caravan so we can decamp there if it really goes t*ts up power wise
Buy some long life milk
Make sure i have bread making stuff stocked up - although that includes powdered milk so maybe the above might not be necessary
Buy DS a new coat
Check gloves, hats, scarves
Snow shovel
Salt for paths

[STRIKE]buy ice grippers for shoes[/STRIKE]
thermal insoles for wellies

Yay finally crossed my first thing off. I am going to do some of the foodstuff purchasing tomorrow and sort the gloves etc