Preparedness for when

tryingtobethrifty

mardatha wrote: »

Tryingtobethrifty - nice to see you back in. You're the only person I know on here who lives near me!

Thanks Mardatha, schools are back so when I was passing through thought of you. I'm glad they've fixed the road up the hill but am not looking forward to driving it in winter, will be getting the snow tyres on before we know it!

I have quite a few things from getting prepared for winter but am going to get more water, gas for the portable heaters and some cash for the house (and try not to spend it!). A tiny bit at a time.....

Mad-Frog

In that scenario I don't think you would have two hours, many have said they would ring relatives and inform neighbours it would descend into chaos within minutes.

I remember the fuel protests luckily I am classed as an essential worker so would have priority for fuel for my car. If supermarkets were aware of an impending food shortage personally I would much rather see a 10 item per person policy perishables first etc but I know that would never happen in reality

I would stock up on personal hygiene things including women's essentials, toilet rolls, toothpaste, mouthwash, soap etc then dried food and fresh. Although I have lots of toothpaste etc but that's because I have had treatment for gum disease and don't want to undo all that hard work and pain

Rather than have matches I would recommend getting a pack of lighters from pound land as they will last much longer and you get five for a pound. I also recommend a head torch as I said before. Much easier to walk, cook with as both hands free

GreyQueen

Mad-Frog wrote: »

In that scenario I don't think you would have two hours, many have said they would ring relatives and inform neighbours it would descend into chaos within minutes.

I remember the fuel protests luckily I am classed as an essential worker so would have priority for fuel for my car. If supermarkets were aware of an impending food shortage personally I would much rather see a 10 item per person policy perishables first etc but I know that would never happen in reality

I would stock up on personal hygiene things including women's essentials, toilet rolls, toothpaste, mouthwash, soap etc then dried food and fresh. Although I have lots of toothpaste etc but that's because I have had treatment for gum disease and don't want to undo all that hard work and pain

Rather than have matches I would recommend getting a pack of lighters from pound land as they will last much longer and you get five for a pound. I also recommend a head torch as I said before. Much easier to walk, cook with as both hands free

Good thinking there. You can also buy firesteel sets at camping suppliers and army surplus type places. Head torches are excellent things, I love my Petzl.

If I had the proverbial 2 hour warning and had a car (I don't) I would have a quick fast thought; Do I stay or do I go? A 2 hour drop on the crisis would enable you to get towards family and/ or a safer environment, but only if the world and it's wife weren't on the move at the same time. If you dilly-dallied, you might end up staying whether you wanted to or not.

I'd look to secure more water whilst it was still on and get some more food in if possible. Full tanks on anything with an internal combustion engine. Batteries for torches. I'd make sure I had warm and sturdy clothing and footwear on and consider whether to bug out on the pushbike and head into the woods (unlikely but possible) or to hunker down in my flat and keep a low profile.

I'd charge anything which could be charged, look to my bug out bag in case an emergency evac became necessary and check in with pals and neighbours to make sure they were OK.

Phew! I suspect that the 2 hour warning would quickly become common knowledge and would rapidly become a 30 minute warning.

Prepping on............

nuatha

VJsmum wrote: »

It is funny how people say they will fill up the car before buying food in the "2 hour till doom" scenario. If you live in the sticks I can understand that but we live in a town so wouldn't really need the car in that scenario as I guess going to work, taking kids to football and drama and trips out would be out of the question. I have feet and a bike so would use them if I had to.

As someone who'd top off the cars as a priority it gives me options. One being relocation, or collecting anyone who's stuck, others include being a power source - I can use it to drive my table saw and turn my wood stash into firewood. Another being safe storage of petrol that will fuel the generator that will keep my freezers running while we use the contents.
Fresh milk, eggs and veg will provide a breathing space before we're relying on the stock cupboards.

grandma247 wrote: »

Soup kitchens are more likely to be started and run by charities. I just found this link from 2009.

I always think of hurricane Katrina and what a useless lot the Authorities were in getting help there. I would not want to rely on them at all.

I suspect that the first soup kitchen here will be run by the neighbourhood. We have generally friendly area and pull together fairly well.

Caterina

Thank you all for the answers about log splitters, we want a manual one. Greenbee, the one you posted the link for looks really good, will show DH and if he OKs it we will order it.

mardatha

Generators are very iffy in that they make a hell of a racket and just let everybody know that you've got power and got a genny. Sooner or later somebody will pinch it, and then maybe want a closer look at what else you might have worth pinching.

TheBanker

Mad-Frog wrote: »

In that scenario I don't think you would have two hours, many have said they would ring relatives and inform neighbours it would descend into chaos within minutes.

I remember the fuel protests luckily I am classed as an essential worker so would have priority for fuel for my car. If supermarkets were aware of an impending food shortage personally I would much rather see a 10 item per person policy perishables first etc but I know that would never happen in reality

I remember those protests. Fun days as I worked in a supermarket at the time. I remember rumours starting that a bread delivery was due. We tried to ration to one loaf each, but I remember having to help the security guard physically separate two women who were fighting in the aisle over the last loaf. There was still plenty of flour and other food in the store - I've never understood why bad weather and the like leads to mass panic buying of bread and milk!

Do you remember a couple of winters ago there was a national shortage of cooking salt and cat litter as people were panic buying them to put on their paths? That's another example of why having items in stock at home is useful - running out of cat litter could be a pain even though it's not the end of the world.

nuatha

mardatha wrote: »

Generators are very iffy in that they make a hell of a racket and just let everybody know that you've got power and got a genny. Sooner or later somebody will pinch it, and then maybe want a closer look at what else you might have worth pinching.

There's at least four other genny's within 150 yards (caravanners). But I agree they are loud and anti-social as well as attracting (possibly) unwanted attention.
For quieter storage or moving frozen food I'd recommend an Igloo Maxcold coolbox, it will keep stuff frozen for at least four days in a British summer.

Caterina

greenbee wrote: »

I have an axe, and a hatchet for kindling (I'm not accurate enough with an axe!), and I also have one of these

Fruit tree prunings make good kindling, and I stuff loo roll middles with shredded paper for firelighting. It takes a minute longer than taking the shredder out to the bin, so I might as well! TD fluff is also used...

Just ordered the log splitter you suggested, thank you! We have a lorryful of logs to do before winter comes and now after one year in the garden they will be well seasoned, lots of nice fires in the winter!

valk_scot

nuatha wrote: »

For quieter storage or moving frozen food I'd recommend an Igloo Maxcold coolbox, it will keep stuff frozen for at least four days in a British summer.

Hah, I spot a serious camper!