Prepping: the new world...

Cherryfudge

@Matty246, I expect it's just where the ingredients have settled and is more or less water or fat that's separated out, however, that does depend on the tin itself being in good condition with no dents and not 'blown'.

Other than that, the sniff test and the cautious taste test should help. If in doubt, your health is worth more than the price of a tin of soup.

Matty246

Thanks Cherryfudge. You're right. I'm not going risk it. I'll console myself with some (considerably cheaper) homemade soup tonight 🙂

London_1

I don't prep as such anymore as I now live with my DD and son-in-law and three loopy dogs .But I have lots of bits and pieces which seem to come in handy at the silliest of things.

Last week DD got some of her Am- Dram costumes out from the storage boxes from where they had been packed away for over 10 years. They are all Victorian ones, and she used them when we lived in the Medway, doing Ghost Walks around the old renovated Chatham Dockyard.

Now we have moved to the IoW she is resuming them with the local company as its a hobby she loves, trouble is she's not ... quite a slim as she was back then, so needed some extra elastic in the waistband for the costumes as she's a bit more ...buxom shall we say bless her  
Her youngest son Mikey has always said 'if Nanna hasn't got it in her house it's not been invented' :) so I duly dug out some elastic banding that did the job and even some dark brown thread for the outfit of the skirt.

I keep the oddest things for no apparent reason, except 'it may come in handy ' and 9/10 times it does  

I even found a collapsible black cane tucked away she can use.She has four 'walks' this month then the season will start agin in March.
But she's also looking into an am-dram company here on the island especially as she has several costumes which will come in handy. So I ever knock my odds and ends  

JackieO xx

EasyToAssemble01

I'm really interested in learning some outdoor prepping (bushcraft, I suppose). Would like to find a course locally, though don't have my own transport yet. Prepping as a renter is always tricky. I'm in the unusual position of having some house-space I can use (basement), and I got into the habit of "buying food ahead" around lockdown. But - as a whole - prepping as a renter isn't always easy, because of space limitations.

DigForVictory

Mild reminder to any as need, Diwali discounts mean you can get rice for less. I got a 10 kilo bag & free cardio work out….

cornishchick

ok, I need some help with prep, a printable list of things someone needs in an emergency, a basic household emergency or the death/ hospital  of an elderly relative, the person living with them is 18, and I have tried explaining how important it is but the elderly relative keeps saying its ok, 
 the 18-year-old has only just figured out where the stop !!!!!! is,  anyone know of a simple but clear print list
I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Cherryfudge

@cornishchick, I think the difficulty is - what kind of emergency? It's useful to have a list of emergency numbers (doctor, hospital, dentist, 999/111, pharmacy, local council (for things like flooding), police, fire brigade - possibly others) - have this on paper as well as on your phone because the emergency might mean the phone can't be used.

If the young person has access to a list of medications taken by the older person, that can save time and errors - if possible include the dose, form (tablet/injection/liquid etc), timing and any special things like take before food. These things can also be found on the label of medications. Also list any allergies and intolerances. What's in the medicine cabinet, is it in date and what do they use it for?

If the older or vulnerable person becomes confused, it's useful to have a 'Herbert Protocol' to help if they wander (this can be temporary confusions such as with a UTI). It's useful to have a recent photo of someone if they go missing. 

There's also the guide to what to do if someone dies.

Then there's the whole practical side of how to run the house: stopping the water as you mentioned, also gas and electricity. Where is the yellow key for the gas cupboard? If water or fuel is metered, how to deal with that. Is there a neighbour with a spare key to the house - and who has copies of the keys? What days are bins collected? What bills are due and when? Do papers or milk get delivered and can this be paused if not needed. Is there a car and what should happen with this? Is there a burglar alarm and how is it set/deactivated? Are there smoke and CO detectors and are the batteries good? Do they know how to test them? Where are keys kept?

Do they know how to work the cooker, heating, dishwasher, washing machine? If they need cash, is any kept in the house? If there's solid fuel, what do they need to know about this?

If the young person is left coping alone - where can they go for help?

I'm sure there are lots more - but I don't have a link, sorry. Perhaps we could compile a list between us?

Who can they ring who might know the older person and how they do things?

MrsCD

If the elderly person has to go into hospital, the young person would need to know if they're on any benefits, as the DWP would need to suspend them after 28 days. They would need to know their NI number and which benefits they receive. If the young person is next of kin, do they have Power of Attorney, to ensure the medics know the person's wishes etc... It came in very handy with my dad! Age UK have a free downloadable Life Book, where you list everything @cornishchick asked about. You can add extra info as needed. If I find anything else I'll let you know.

Cherryfudge

That's really useful thanks @MrsCD: I feel we should all have one so I'm going to download a copy.

LifeBook | Age UK

fionaandphil

Thanks @Cherryfudge that is a great book. Will download and complete this week