Preparedness for when

GreyQueen

You'd have forty-fits if you read the list of possible complications off my main medicine, the one which is keeping me alive.

In certain rare cases, it can even kill ya. On the other hand, I could just choose not to take it and die of natural causes in about 24 hours. I have had this med for about 20 years now and have had none of the posted contra-indications - yet.

I have also noticed that life itself is invariably fatal, given enough time. All you can do it try to be sensible and not die prematurely as a result of stupidity.

Perplexed_Pineapple

Where did you get that BB? I've seen 4g as the maximum adult dose in a few places I think. Will have to go check on the packet. Thinking about tablets and things to have in a BOB or similar, a few painkillers would make sense, maybe some anti-diarrhoeal (sp?) tablets would be a good idea to help avoid dehydration if drastic changes to your normal diet caused an upset. Has anyone thought about the potassium iodide I've seen recommended on some websites to reduce radiation damage in a nuclear incident? Probably better for a home or car kit than a BOB though.

fuddle

We've bought a couple of torches this evening. Just small ones for the children people but it's more to the torch stash. I intend sorting everything out into a box ready for blackouts. More gas will be bought at the weekend. We are also going to test the camping stove.

I will be heading up to the national trust gift shop come pay day for more 100% wool blankets at £14.

Wednesday will see a delivery of basics/tins, matches and batteries.

I am also going to buy a cheap telephone that doesn't need electricity to run. I know it can't be relied upon but it's a better bet than the setup we have now.

I really need to think up of a way of getting together some form of entertainment for the girls and ourselves should we get hit with cold dark evenings.

I am determined any power cut will be nothing more than an annoyance.

For those of you who have experienced times similar, have you any tips? What was the absolute worst and how do your preps nowadays reflect that?

Butterfly_Brain

You also have to remember that aspirin can cause internal bleeding, so you have to be very careful with it, says she on 8 tramadol a day :eek:

nuatha

GreyQueen wrote: »

It's very good to be aware that there can be paracetamol in OTC cold and flu remedies; I know a woman who made herself ill like that. I'm not particularly hard-arrised but I can't be doing with pill-popping and syrup-slurping for a cold.

I rarely bother with meds other than those medically essential. Around 25 years back I put myself into hospital with a gastric bleed due to not checking the ingredients in an OTC hot lemon style cold drink - they'd changed to include asprin. (My preferred way of keep my throat soothed and voice working, is honey, ginger and lemon with an equal volume of boiling water)

Upthread there was some discussion of supermarket shopping in powercuts. Its a while since I worked in that industry, but without electricity they are seriously dark. In a sudden powercut it would be a struggle to get customers out safely, forget about shopping. (I've opened up and locked up a number of supermarkets) The emergency lighting may be adequate, but with eyes that are adjusted to solid flourescent lighting it will be several minutes for most people to make out anything - assuming people aren't panicking and you have a line of sight to an exit.

nuatha

fuddle wrote: »

I am also going to buy a cheap telephone that doesn't need electricity to run. I know it can't be relied upon but it's a better bet than the setup we have now.

I really need to think up of a way of getting together some form of entertainment for the girls and ourselves should we get hit with cold dark evenings.

I bought a simple wired phone from Argos t'other day for £4.99.

Packs of cards are cheap, easy to store and versatile. (look out for a book on card magic as well as games) Games compendiums turn up at boot sales fairly cheaply as do board games.

Butterfly_Brain

fuddle wrote: »

We've bought a couple of torches this evening. Just small ones for the children people but it's more to the torch stash. I intend sorting everything out into a box ready for blackouts. More gas will be bought at the weekend. We are also going to test the camping stove.

I will be heading up to the national trust gift shop come pay day for more 100% wool blankets at £14.

Wednesday will see a delivery of basics/tins, matches and batteries.

I am also going to buy a cheap telephone that doesn't need electricity to run. I know it can't be relied upon but it's a better bet than the setup we have now.

I really need to think up of a way of getting together some form of entertainment for the girls and ourselves should we get hit with cold dark evenings.

I am determined any power cut will be nothing more than an annoyance.

For those of you who have experienced times similar, have you any tips? What was the absolute worst and how do your preps nowadays reflect that?

I remember the power cuts well, the best thing in those days was that nearly everyone had open fires, we were lucky enough to have parkray central heating.

If you have a power cut do not open your freezer, cover it with newspaper and a blanket, this should keep food frozen for 8 hours.

Keep flasks of hot water around for hot drinks or get a camping kettle and use it on the barbecue, a rocket stove made from bricks or on a camping stove.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz2ssyGfg58

If you can afford it get a kelly kettle
Think about a hay box or make a wonderbag and prepare meals well in advance.

Have an alternative form of heating because central heating will not work without electricity.
Plus heavy curtains at doors and windows, lots of blankets ,hot water bottles, paraffin lamps or calor gas heaters or go to bed early.

Candles can really take the chill off of a room, but if you have children do not allow them anywhere near the candles and make sure that they are inside something like this

And make sure they are somewhere that they cannot be knocked over or near anything flammable such as curtains

Try to keep tablets, laptops, phones etc with a full charge at all times.

I have got these stuck under my kitchen cupboards:


You do need a fair few though, I have four each under the 1,000mm cupboards and 2 under the 500mm ones.
The batteries last for a fair while, I haven't had to change them in over two years.

We also have camping lanterns and lots of batteries.

[Deleted User]

nuatha wrote: »

Upthread there was some discussion of supermarket shopping in power cuts. Its a while since I worked in that industry, but without electricity they are seriously dark.

Which is why it pays to keep a small torch in your pocket/purse, at all times.

I carry a "Bullet" torch, similar to this.

Got mine at the 99p store.

Hopefully (although I'm not overly hopeful), all Supermarkets staff are equipped with torches, ready to lead customers not carrying pocket torches (and I would imagine that would be the vast majority of shoppers) to the exits.

As for entertainment, it depends a lot on the age of the people involved.

Very young children would be happy playing snap or snakes and ladders, but older children would need something more engrossing.

A solar/wind up radio will be a godsend, not only for entertainment, but for getting information too.

I don't envy anyone with teenagers, once said teenagers discover their smartphones and games devices have stopped working.

Nargleblast

You're right there, Bob, imagine sharing your house with a teenager who can't get their fix of Facebook, YouTube or Twitter, you would think the zombies had already invaded and were in your living room!

cuddlymarm

Hi
I hope you don't mind me joining in. Don't forget in an emergency power cut ( in a shop for instance) that you might be able to use the light from your phone. I have a torch app on my iPhone which is good for a short emergency.
Cuddles