Blackouts for beginners

FrugalHedonist

After looking at the news reports regarding the potential for planned blackouts and being clueless about how to prepare for them in a sensible measured way, I thought that doing a post requesting hints and tips may be helpful for myself and others. What essential items would you purchase?

elsien

Nothing new. I already have camping lantern, gas hob and a camping stove in the unlikely event that both gas and electric go off at the same time, I already have a rechargeable torch and candles, a flask, and a power bank for my phone or tablet. I have an open fire. If the gas goes off (very unlikely indeed) I have a portable radiator.  Any electricity cuts are only likely to be for a couple of hours I would imagine so I can’t see much else needed.
We already manage perfectly well when the electric goes off in an unplanned way - it still happens from time to time with  faults locally. It isn’t really any different for me. I do think the media are overdoing it slightly on the  doom and gloom front.
A chap on the radio yesterday said that it would need a perfect storm of bad weather and supply  issues in Europe to affect gas with a very low probability of it happening. 

joedenise

If it's planned electricity cuts then you will know what times you will be affected so will have time to sort out torches, food etc before it happens.  If it's going to be around the time you'd normally cook your main meal then if possible change it to a different time or change it to something which doesn't need cooking.

Have to say though that I agree with @elsien that the media are making it sound all gloom and doom.

FrugalHedonist

Yeah i'm not panic buying or anything like that and totally agree about the media but have never experiences blackouts at all so just wanted some basic stuff to cope it in the event it happens - im not too worried about the cooking aspect but thinking maybe a couple of head torches would be a good call

boultdj

Batteries for torches and a box of matches for candles,  I  always run out of batteries, I need to remember to charge the rechargeable ones up as well and the matches because the lighters keep playing up, even the new ones.

Scrimps

Blackout tips for those with kids under 5 would be appreciated. I have a fairly nervous couple of boys (we do our best to build their confidence but they get it from their parents im sure) so seeing it as a big 'adventure' would be a bit tricky. I remember loving power cuts when I was little

I get the media make it sound doom and gloom but the lack of leadership from the government who appear to want to stick their fingers in their ears and sing 'la la la' to says its simply not going to happen does compound the worry. The national grid don't tend to make these statements lightly.

Madbat60

I remember the blackouts in the 70's when I was a child, I quite enjoyed them.  Wd have a camping stove  batteries, torches and a log burner.  I'm not worried but I think the news and media make people panic buy things

RAS

These are likely to be planned ahead, so you can prepare for the events. The 70's ones rotated round, definitely off, maybe off, probably on (but always were) and definitely on.

It was a bit of a burger when the off session was scheduled for when you were all coming back from school/work to a dark, unheated house. It could be made better by changing the heating to come on for a while before switch-off and then keeping as much inside until the heating came on later. Eating a snack and then having a later meal, preferably re-heated quickly. 

If you are home and know the power is going off:

Arrange lighting (with small children battery powered is safer but you could use tea lights if they are well out of reach).
Cook if appropriate and store to retain heat (haybox style)
Heat water and put in a thermos for hot drinks.
Make up hotwater bottles and wrap up in blankets/duvets/sleeping bags.
Make sure warm clothing is readily accessible.
Arrange to spend time together in one room and have entertainment organised; there will be no TV or computers but phones and lap-tops can be charged in advance. Reading stories and puzzles are good but we had to do our homework by candlelight.

If you're cooking on a camping style stove, use the kitchen, keep out of reach of the children, make quick meals and wrap up warm yourself. Avoid dangly clothes and hair

I'll add a power bank and get some new matches. And bring camping stuff downstairs.

Nathalia

After Storm Arwen we bought my elderly and frail father and his partner a power bank which they keep charged.  Mostly they use it for their phones, but that also reassures us that they can contact us in an emergency and we can get to them.  So checking on relevant family and neighbours might be good too.

annieb64

I do remember coming home from work in the 1970s and the street lights were out. It was so dark. I shall carry a small torch in my handbag. 

I'm hoping that if power cuts do happen we get warning. I shall make sure phones etc are charged and  remove food for dinner from the freezer so don't have to open it when the power is off.  It's worth making  sure the freezer is full even if you part fill it with containers of water-it will stay cold for longer.

maisie_cat

We have camping cooking equipment we can use in the conservatory, but if I had advance notice I could also cook and put in a thermos.
Luckily we also have a wood burner, plenty of warm clothing  and a power bank that will keep the fridge freezer going for 24 hours so we're set.