The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

RAS

Look for one of the sockets shown here under "sockets" British telephone socket - Wikipedia . You may have an extension lead plugged in with the phone you use elsewhere. Or cordless set ups which are plugged into a nearby power socket?

If you are unsure, check for the cable entry outside and trace from there.

We have an old corded phone which lives in a drawer near the incoming phone socket in the hall. When there's a power cut, the extension cable comes out and the corded phone is plugged in. Staying visitors are briefed.

Auntycaz

If like me you've been changed over to full fibre with VOIP phone which work through the internets none  of the phones will work so be sure to have a mobile and keep it charged.( I didn't have the option of keeping the existing phone as the Voip phone was part of the home essentials plan I took out with BT) When they fitted it they disconnected the copper cables so the old sockets no longer work. I can't complain as the cost is less than half what I was being charged with my previous provider when my contract ended

thriftwizard

We've also been changed over to VOIP, almost without consultation, and I'm not totally happy about that as they certainly didn't make it clear that there'd be no landline connection afterwards. And as for the "unbreakable internet" - well, half the time the dratted thing can't find a signal & just blinks red. We did warn them about that, this has always been a mobile blackspot, but basically they just laughed & said that wasn't possible. Hmmm...

Auntycaz

It doesn't tell you that your phone service will be VOIP when you sign up for the BT Essentials package but it was so much cheaper than other packages available in this area. It also didn't say that my existing extension wouldn't work as it was the copper system. Also I had to have my broadband enter the house upstairs in my bedroom instead of in the hall as it had been, as there wasn't a power point available near to the existing entry point to plug in the router. They sent me 2 x free VOIP handsets but I just plug my existing phone into the router and use that as I've heard the actual VOIP phones are not as clear so they are still in the box. They have to be plugged into the electricity via a base unit and charged up anyway. 

DigForVictory

So, sorting mum’s communications in the event of a power cut may not be as easy as we hoped.
Right…
Just how hard is it to train carrier pigeons? Or do I sort a PAYG dumbphone & a powerbank & hope she remembers how to use them?

Auntycaz

The really basic payg phones seem to hold a charge for quite a long time and if you programme a few important numbers into the contacts it might be easier for her. Hope you manage to sort something for her. 

YoungBlueEyes

 Carrier pigeons…. hmmm…. Bet there’s a yt video on it. Or is there app for that? 

I’d go for the second option. I taught my Aged P how to use my smart phone and he loved it. Would training and a dumbphone be possible? Plus that would give you peace of mind when you’re however many miles away…. 

newlywed

DigForVictory said:

Or do I sort a PAYG dumbphone & a powerbank & hope she remembers how to use them?

Type up some very clear basic instructions and make sure they are left with the devices?

Have a monthly test phone call to help keep it in the mind?

everyone panics if they suddenly have to use something they don’t normally use, so practice and instructions would definitely help.

DigForVictory

If I'd started two years ago, it would be easier, but dementia is clawing at her capacity. I'll write some very very simple instructions & put them on the box lid. Then, as you say, get her to try it!

In other news, I see the cost of milk is going up. No sure that's News, but suddenly Nido is looking like an investment - thank you SiClist for converting a strange Duke-Of-Edinburgh scheme requirement into a reassurance on the shelf!

DigForVictory

Lest anyone be wanting to know the draft plans for blackouts they are here just you may need a paper bill to figure into which load block you fall...