The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

euronorris

kacie said:

I was thinking getting some of those joke birthday candles the ones that relight, does anyone think they would be useful to have? 

In my experience they burn very quickly. I think they have some kind of powder laced within the wick, which reginites the spark. But MIL bought some for DD's birthday earlier this year, and they were halfway melted before we able to put them out fully. So, personally, I'd struggle to find a purpose for them beyond novelty.

prepareathome

I know I am barging in after being away so long but thought I would just do a reminder for newbies about some basics for prep that they most likely have thought of but just in case not. 

1: Power cuts  - water supplies and lack of them.
Ensure you have food that can be eaten cold - cans and don't forget a manual can opener or two.  Food that needs water to be made up means ensuring you have enough water in stock as if bad outage, water might not be pumped to your home.  So best approach this as if your home is on an island cut off from everything.  So dehydrated food might seem a good idea as takes up less space but unless you ensure your water supply is ok it can be a waste of money.  Remember unlike years ago if there are major power outages shops will not be able to be open as they rely on electric for everything including tills.  About twenty years ago we had a power outage in our area which hit while I was in our local Sainsbobs and apart from them cover the freezers ( was the old open ones back then) and securing the fridges so no one could open them they were able to carry on as although tills were electric they could be over ridden as not tied in with stocks etc but a more recent outage about 5 years ago meant they had to shut down the store ( again I happened to be in when it hit  and we all just had to leave our shopping as they could not take even cash as payment).  Local corner shops might manage but not others so  planning ahead is a must.  

I am old enough to remember the power cuts during the 1970s in Glasgow and then shops stayed open - candles dotted around as we were told when they would happen and tills were usually manual ones. 

Water is usually pumped to mains with electric (might still be odd areas where gravity is still used, not looked into this for years).  So unless you have your own well this means even toilet cannot be flushed so you need to think of alt arrangements ( portapotty is an option).  The most basic idea is either a black bin bag place in toilet and use cat litter to cover as you use it or to put bin bag in a bucket and use that as toilet - or if you have a commode line that.  Cat litter is the best and cheapest option to keep home smell free.  If you feel up to it you can bag up solid waste in poo bags keeping bin bag just for wee covered with the cat litter.  

Wipes are the best option to clean yourself as not using your precious water stores ( just remember to bag them up never flush down toilet whether its working or not.  Wash rags used normally instead of toilet paper not really a good option unless you know how long power outage will last ( if say rolling power cuts come in again) as you don't want them sitting around for long nor waste water to clean them. 

I could go on boring you but won't unless anyone would like me to - alt heating/cooking/entertainment etc., etc............the normal that most know about 

newlywed

Yes please @prepareathome.  Heating and cooking options please. 

We once had a power outage that blew our electric meter (we took the chicken to my mums gas cooker to roast and eat so not the end of the world). Trying to boil a pan of water on tea lights was very tedious!

we are fine with non electricity entertainment, books, jigsaws, board games, crafting etc, and now have a power bank for my phone (for 20 mile walks as well as potential powecuts)

CCW007

Really useful post @prepareathome, thank you.  Good point about dehydrated food, I hadn't thought about needing water to rehydrate it.  I have some water but nowhere near enough so that's something to consider.

Lots of tweets over the weekend about foodbanks asking for donations of food which don't require cooking or heating due to fuel poverty / increased costs and the chances of foodbank users not having cooking facilities.  Heart breaking to think of people using foodbanks not being able to cook or heat up the food they collect.

[Deleted User]

Yes please @prepareathome. There are difficult times ahead with fuel prices xx

euronorris

The school is collecting for the food bank this week, as part of harvest week. This is what was requested (if anyone is inclined to donate):

Urgently needed - tinned potatoes, fruit juice/squash, custard/rice pudding, long life milk, cooking sauces (not pasta), instant/microwavable porridge, toilet rolls, cleaning products, toothbrushes, razors and shaving foam.

We've got plenty of - baked beans, soup, sanitary products, nappies.

We went for porridge, toothbrushes (adult and kids) and squash. Logic being, something for hygeine, something to eat, something to drink.

CCW007

Will have a look later to find the list I saw - would be good as an idea of what food would be good to stock in the event of a power cut as well as fuel poverty.

kacie

Our local food bank puts a list up at the supermarket so it's easy to see what they need as you shop. 

CCW007

Examples of foods which don't need heat source and/or fridge.  I'm sure most of you would think of these things but might be useful for someone just planning their preps:

UHT milk /plant milk
Cereal
Tuna
Corned beef
Tinned fruit but not tin veg so much
Biscuits
Crisps
Chocolate/ sweets
Dried fruit & nuts
Pickles
Instant mash (if you have a kettle)
Crackers, rice cakes
Cereal bars / protein bars
Peanut butter, chocolate spread, jam
Tortilla wraps
Tinned rice pudding

Thriftygifty

Pot noodles - If have kettle (I don't eat them)
Tinned Custard
Ready made jelly pots
Tinned ham/chicken (I don't eat this either)