Prepping: the new world...

MrsCD

I find a damp cloth helps get a grip to open bottle tops, and I pour hot water over the jam jar lid to make it expand, to help remove it.

Any medicine pots that need to be squeezed are pushed down on the edge of the bench, as are bleach bottles. If you have arthritic hands it's not easy to open some things, so it's worth finding other ways before you need to!

Treasurequeen

Being disabled I have been using for the last few years a great tool to open jars. OXO Good Grips Twisting Jar Opener with Basepad. No batteries needed and I can now independently open all jars. You can also get an aid/tool to open bottles as well as an aid to help open the child safety medicine cap bottles. Things that can make life easy as well as being practical tools to have at home.

I’ve stocked up my pantry unit of tins and packets. Stocked up on batteries as they were on offer so I bought an extra pack of each, good job I did they have now gone up in price. Had a minor electrical issue in my home this week which made me realise I wasn’t prepared and am now making sure I am now for future issues.

Cherryfudge

We have a very old fashioned tin opener that has a hook on for bottle opening - that's also great for breaking the vacuum on over-tightened jars. Hook the tip under the lid in the gap between threads and lever upwards: you should get a soft 'pop' as the pressure goes.

suzeesu2000

I’m sure people think I’m mad but I have just bought a portable charcoal BBQ. Firstly it’s compact so can be easily stored when not in use, secondly it’s not reliant on any type of gas or electricity, yes it’s called a charcoal BBQ but where I live wood is also readily available in an emergency, plus next purchase will be some bags of charcoal, thirdly if it’s a horrid hot summer again I can use it outside instead of heating the house up.
I’ve also stocked up on wicks for candles plus the little sticks with the holes in to hold the wicks straight. I can reuse any unburnt wax now into new candles. I also got 2 second hand mini lanterns which hold small candles. They have glass type sides and a handle. I think they are safer for unsteady folk like DH and me over a naked candle.
Food stocks are coming on nicely too. I have recently added plenty of oats as they are so versatile. I saw a recipe today for using oats to thicken soups - one to try. I know you can also grind them down into flour too.
I buy batteries whenever they are on offer but stick to Duracell as I trust them for strength and reliability - we did try some cheaper ones but they don’t hold a charge well enough. Oh, also had a portable solar charger come today. It doesn’t hold a charge, it’s one where you need to have whatever needs charging connected to it while it’s powering up. Don’t know how good it is as haven’t tried yet.
stay safe, sweet dreams xx

DigForVictory

Reassure me this "portable charcoal BBQ" is safe to use indoors? As we'd hate to lose a board member to carbon monoxide poisoning just trying to stay warm.
And that you have figured out what to stand it on so it isn't going to heat up & mark any furniture or flooring?
And also how to use it and keep any household pets safe?
(sorry, Scouting means any new idea is immediately run through the risk assessment protocols which tends to make me Absolutely No Fun at parties.)

suzeesu2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81951186#Comment_81951186

oh Heavens lol, not going to use it indoors! But so kind of you to worry, thank you xx It will ONLY ever be used outside in the yard. It will stand on concrete or breeze blocks to raise it up a bit. Goodness me, would never use it indoors. We have a supply of quilts, blankets and clothing to stay warm and kitty cat Frankie doesn’t venture outside, he’s an indoor boy so he will never be anywhere near it. I’m very touched by your concern though, that’s so kind of you

Broomstick

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere but there was an article in The Guardian two days ago about 'stockpiling' ie having a sensible amount of things in your pantry etc https://www.theguardian.com/food/2026/apr/04/foods-to-stockpile-emergency-store?fbclid=IwY2xjawRAlGVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEefGUPCsXtJf2R2jhNR7hM0peBlehGPcOrfZVk_jQcz_EhPOSjGKWE8QEU17c_aem_ZEPUCvosUNbZKtBpdQ3cSA

and it references Swiss and German websites which enable people to calculate what they might need for a chosen number of days dependent on household size. The Swiss one allows for babies, pets and more choices for dietary preferences and I think might be useful to share with friends and family who are only just thinking about all this. https://www.notvorratsrechner.bwl.admin.ch/en

Shropshirelass

Thank you Broomstick, for the link to the Swiss site. It's a useful check. It's never occurred to me that a fondue set would be a useful alternative cooking method. I will have fun researching it. (Don't worry DfV I'll take care!)

DigForVictory

I was that enthusiast suggesting you clean a hand cranked radio case that had gone squishy with a razor blade & vodka (and the front door unlocked & a live phone call) so I really can't claim to be board H&S, but heating things indoors is something that can go wrong in several novel & interesting ways.
At least you're not up a ladder trying to lime plaster a bit of chimney breast. (I had Stern Words with our museum chair when I arrived for an accounting meeting, the door was locked & her phone was in a jacket pocket at the bottom of the ladder. She apologised for worrying me very prettily (& I have no doubt returned to her deplorable ways within hours), but I tipped off three other committee members & I think she now has a live chat rolling with someone…)

If in doubt, leave the front door unlocked, and have a live phone call whilst doing something. It means should your side of the chat slide into Argh, ouch, thud, your conversational companion can get someone in to check without having to get the paperwork to go through a locked door. Should help arrive to find you blearily squinting at a kettle, and apologising for the lack of biscuits, whilst all your limbs are attached & largely working, they can chalk that up as a win & go on to whatever else is required. If, on the other hand, the fondue set or whatever has gone completely rogue, they can try to put any flames out, damp smouldering things & relocate you to fresher air.

We can only prep for a new world whilst staying robustly in this one, I feel. With the front door unlocked, in case.

MrsCD

Just remembered that the last time DD went up into the loft she rang to tell me what she was doing, and promised to ring once she was back down again! If I hadn't heard from her after 20 minutes I had to go around next door to see what had happened... She was fine, but at least she's thinking things through. 😉