The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

Jazee

My offspring have now decided to stock up.  DD has been to mr.t, says the shelves weren't that full.  DH reports that there's no shortage of hand sanitizer but there is a shortage of plastic bottles to put it in.  Bar soap it is then.

[Deleted User]

It makes sense to have some bottled water in your stores just in case there is disruption to the supply because there is a problem with the infrastructure, water mains do burst, contaminants do get into the reservoirs, or in case enough people who work in the treatment works are off ill to mean they can't ensure the supply is safe to drink from the tap.  Given the weather we've had lately and the flooding etc. some bottled water for that type of happening seems quite sensible too doesn't it?

tboo

Thanks I shall try to get some bottles tomorrow and store them away. Need to work out whats a reasonable amount for a week at least , washing, drinking etc

GreyQueen

tboo said:

Thanks I shall try to get some bottles tomorrow and store them away. Need to work out whats a reasonable amount for a week at least , washing, drinking etc

  It might be more economical and efficient to go to a camping store (there are several large national chains) and buy sturdy plastic water carriers. I think the 10 litre models are the best bet, being relatively easy to lift and to store. I do have a couple of 25 litre models but am finding them hard to handle. They will last for many years, and are portable, should one ever have to go to a stand-tap on the street, they're far stronger than water bottles from the SM. Given two or three refills from the tap, they'd pay for themselves.

If money is very tight, and you have 2 litre pop bottles, these can easily be rewashed and repurposed.

Whatever kind of container you use should be stored away from heat and direct sunlight, to prevent algal growth - chuck a cloth over them if necessary - mine are behind the back of the sofa where there's a gap because the sofa back is at a slight angle. Outta sight but easily accessible if needed. HTH.

tboo

I have just purchased 4 x 25l water carriers off Amaz0n, £23.99, nearest camping store was a bit away so seemed best option

When full will store them in the understairs cupboard

maryb

make a note to yourself to change the water every three months.

GreyQueen

tboo said:

I have just purchased 4 x 25l water carriers off Amaz0n, £23.99, nearest camping store was a bit away so seemed best option

When full will store them in the understairs cupboard

A word to the wise; weight.

1 litre of water weighs 1 kilo aka 2.5=2 lb.

25 litres = 55lb

4 x 55 lb = 220 lb or 15 and a half stones. Depending on the cupboard floor, and the joists, that could well be a problem. I would be tempted to keep them downstairs, ideally on a concrete sub-floor.

If you ever have to store plastic containers on naked concrete, please be aware it causes plastic to rot and fail over time. Which is why my plastic water barrels on the allotment patio are actually sitting up on sections of fencepost wood, rather than just on the concrete slabs. HTH

markin

annieb64 said:

I work in a charity shop a couple of days a week. There's only one toilet with a towel for hand drying so I'm wondering if I should take my own small towel rather than use the communal one.Having had a bad chest infection earlier this year I really don't want to risk catching anything else.

No don't use a towel at all, use disposable paper towels, Is it open to the public? or more than 2 people?

1: Can you be 100% sure only you would use it.

2: Can you be sure they even wash correctly and arnt just wiping the virus on the towel.

3: can you be 100% sure everyone closes the lid when flushing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pFww_EaLiY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDc7-oya1Qg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejl7vrDUIcs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAclQsqvIKo

Sky news

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ3BE9sGm5w

welshbabe88

maryb said:

make a note to yourself to change the water every three months.

Oh I've been buying a few large bottles form Tescos. I didn't realise you could store tap water for that long - good to know.

Greenglockenspiel

One thing I’d suggest stocking up on in case of a quarantine is vitamin D supplements. You’re supposed to take them over winter anyway, but you should definitely be taking some if you’re not allowed outdoors and exposed to the sun at all for two weeks.