Preparedness for when

pineapple

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

PINEAPPLE I have also just cooked a joint of pork and some chicken breasts so we have that just in case the power goes out, seems like a sensible precaution as we can eat them cold if we have too, Cheers Lyn x.

Excellent idea!

mardatha

So what about all the people with coal fires? Generations lived and grew up with them.

[Deleted User]

pineapple wrote: »

I believe combustion of any solid fuel will create carbon monoxide.
I gave myself long term low level carbon monoxide poisoning through doing this. That and the practice of leaving an ash pan with hot ash/embers cooling down underneath the stove.
If you have a carbon monoxide detector, most register peak levels even if they have not been high enough for long enough to trigger the alarm. I kept getting readings that shouldn't have been there and it took a while to figure out what was happening. Don't risk your health.

incomplete combustion, solid fuel, gas, oil will give out carbon monoxide. This is usually caused by not enough oxygen at the source of combustion. This is why I would be concerned if drifts block vents here, so I will be checking for air coming in through the vent in the floor. If no noticeable flow of air then I will switch the stove off and go onto electric heaters. Also candles burn up oxygen rapidly so I will not be using candles

I agree re the ash pan, I remember the smell of it and the rising fumes from the old days

[Deleted User]

mardatha wrote: »

So what about all the people with coal fires? Generations lived and grew up with them.

yes and the old days went hand in hand with good ventilation, so no danger. People live in sealed boxes these days

pineapple you got me thinking, I`ll be getting my usual giant pot of lentil/veg soup done this afternoon. Easy to heat up if a power cut, which is fairly likely in some areas

mardatha

Ah but my house is older and draughty and has never had anything but coal fired heating. I think I'll ask the sweep.

Popperwell

Want a free guide to staying warm and a free thermometer(even though you probably know it all)and still struggle to pay the bills and leave it on.

Look here...http://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/spread-the-warmth/cold-weather-alert/

pineapple

mardatha wrote: »

So what about all the people with coal fires? Generations lived and grew up with them.

Coal fires and stoves are different. Many stoves have been designed based on a small but strong air intake in combo with a narrower flu and the instructions on some (not all) models advise not to leave the door open. This is because there will not be enough draught to remove the dangerous fumes up the chimney.
But in any case no one should be running a solid fuel appliance without a carbon monoxide detector with a peak level indicator. So if anyone has a stove and wants to try running it with the door open (if the instructions don't warn against it) I advise keeping a regular check on levels bearing in mind there may be variations during the course of the operation. Remember you can't smell carbon monoxide. I know two young people who died with this and have had health problems myself - it's not something to be messed with.

That said an open fire with a partially blocked/inefficient chimney will also be hazardous - and that has always been the case.

ALIBOBSY

Went out for some shopping as its our normal day and wanted a little stock up of fresh items before the snow hits. Got some reduced milk in the little Asda. Their filtered stuff (like cravendale but cheaper) was reduced to 30p a bottle for 4 pints as it is on todays date, BUT as it last longer than the normal milk it has a sell buy today date and a use by in 7 days. We often find it lasts longer than that so its a bargain and our Asda always seems to have some on knockdown. Got 4 bottle and froze 3 so well stocked up for a bargain price :T.

Got a few bits in Aldi, the butchers and then nipped to the farm shop for some lovely local cheese. Stocked up with the fresh stuff and meal planned for the week on under £30 for 6 of us so bargain week lol.

I was shocked how busy everywhere was. It was like christmas eve :eek:. The majortity were older people, and there appeared to be alot of stocking up going on, so at least some people other than us preppers are taking the warnings seriously.

Met office predictions for our area keep changing, like PC says they are really floundering when it comes to this at the mo. They are now saying we may NOT get snow. But Netweather whom I have found to be better than the MO are still predicting snow from tonight into tomorrow and PC has said to expect far worse than the mainstream are predicting so we are erring on the cautious side.

Seen a few small flakes already so its trying and ts really cold.

Keep warm ev1.

Ali x

pineapple

Look North has just downgraded the weather warning for my area :huh:

RAS

mardatha wrote: »

So what about all the people with coal fires? Generations lived and grew up with them.

Full combustion of coal creates carbon dioxide CO2 which the gas used by plants.

The ash pan left under the stove or the dying barbeque in the tent outer smoulders and creates carbon monoxide CO because there is not enough oxogen. Stoves are specially designed to contain fuel in a small space and are built to ensure that partly combusted gases go up the chimney. That makes them safe.

If you open the door, those gases end up in your room.