Heating alternative for elderly

Kostandia

Hello, in a newspaper article today experts warn of gas cuts this winter.  What alternative form of heating can I provide for my elderly widowed mum? Are we likely to get electricity cuts too... should I buy an electrical fan heater as back up for her...are there other better options etc.

I already have two old windup camping lights in case of elec power cuts at night.  Light and warmth are the two basics for our elderly.  I'm so worried for mum.

Bimbly

I hope some people come along with some good advice for you.

Note that the issue about gas cuts refers more to electricity. The concern is that there will not be enough gas to run gas-fired electricity generating plants.

lisyloo

I bought my dad a heated throw and heated mattress cover.

if things get bad I’ll pick him up and bring him to my house temporarily.

he is also on the vulnerable list with the energy company.

[Deleted User]

Domestic gas cuts - almost unthinkable based on what we know at this point.

Electricity cuts would come first, would not be long (a few hours) and would be planned in advance. And they are still unlikely at this point.

Scary headlines are nothing more than that.  Doesn’t sell many papers to say everything’s probably going to be fine.

EssexHebridean

You don’t say how do your Mum is but you may well find that she would be far less phased about the idea of a short power cut than you would be. Having said that, for everyone some basic precautions are just sensible. Make sure you know where you have a torch handy to grab if the lights go out, and if appropriate that you have candles (and matches!) stored somewhere that you can find them easily with just a torch. Blankets or throws are sensible, as is ensuring that there are some foodstuffs that can be eaten without the need to cook. A gas cooker is a boon as it means food and water can still be heated, but again remember it will need matches to light it. 

Ultimately, lots of people across the U.K. deal with power cuts routinely during each and every winter, often for longer than any planned short outages would be likely to be. 

victor2

Kostandia said:

Hello, in a newspaper article today experts warn of gas cuts this winter.  What alternative form of heating can I provide for my elderly widowed mum? Are we likely to get electricity cuts too... should I buy an electrical fan heater as back up for her...are there other better options etc.

I already have two old windup camping lights in case of elec power cuts at night.  Light and warmth are the two basics for our elderly.  I'm so worried for mum.

Domestic gas supplies can't be cut off like electricity can as it's too dangerous. The shortage of gas to supply the power stations that rely on it could mean we have power cuts as a result.

If you are worried about your Mum keeping warm and she has gas central heating, then that will not work when the power is off, but if she has a gas stove, that will continue to work, so long as she has a means to light it.

If she has a gas fire, the same applies.

Just consider how she will cope without electricity for a few hours. Any planned power outages will come with advance warning, and you can simulate an outage to see how she'd deal with it by turning the electricity off at the distribution panel or fuse box.

ariarnia

as sparky and victor have said the 'warning' is about gas supplies to generate electricity not gas supply for central heating in homes. and even that's being over sold by the papers as sparky gave some links before about what different levels of 'emergency' mean for ofgem and it's like going from defcon 1 all the way to 5 not going directly to the highest level where customers are cut off without warning. 

any power cuts will almost cirtanly be planned and warned in advance (you might be between 5 and 8 pm on a wednesday and friday  and a few miles over theirs might be the same time on a tuesday and thursday or maybe 6 till 9 in the morning. when the expected usage is higher than the expected supply from gas and all other sources) 

but if you want a solution then if it's particularly heat your worried about then maybe a hot water bottle and nice fluffy blanket? and spending some time now really well insulating at least one room by sealing any cracks, hanging good curtains, maybe getting some thick rugs and putting something on external walls. so if the heating suddenly cuts out the room will stay warm until it comes back again (like if yo have a power cut leaving the freezer closed and bot opening the door means things stay frozen until the power comes back) 

deannagone

We went through a series of electrical power cuts for a few weeks due to a dodgy local substation. 

 As advised above, make sure you have lighters and torches and can reach them in the dark.  I have a good supply of candles, again knew exactly where they were. 

As my cooker and kettle are electric and we were without power for hour after hour, I got a log fire going in the fire pit we have, and used that to boil water so I could have coffee (old pot used, as they will charcoal on the outside).  It was actually warmer outside than in lol.  I also have solar lights outside which helped. This may not be appropriate for your mother of course.

You could install a solar powered light bulb in your mothers house so she has a few hours of light if needed. It will need a solar panel to be placed on an outside wall and connected up to a lightbulb inside.  I bought mine on Amazon. Other solar charging options could be looked at as well.

We also have lots of thick fleece blankets and clothing nowadays.  They are lovely and soft and very pleasant to use.  Need to be washed on a low temp wash though.  I use them when sitting in a chair/sofa but also on the bed when the duvet isn't quite warm enough when it gets really cold.

But remember your mum will have grown up without central heating and the frequent power cuts of the 70's (even I remember them so not frightened by the thought, I know you can get through it with a few adjustments).  She may know better than you how to get through power cuts unless she is frail now.  You could even pick up a few tips from her if you ask her and she might enjoy that.

But also remember, these power cuts may not happen. You don't want to take chances but remember your mum has survived to be elderly.  She knows a lot about how to survive.