What to do in a power cut

Farway

t0rt0ise said:

When I was a child and power cuts were common we had a candle tin containing white candles, old fish paste jars to hold them, and matches. That was it and we did just fine.

Beat me to it, I was going to mention candles & matches. Keep them where you can find them in the dark, be it kitchen drawer or under sink etc,

As long as everyone knows where they are

Another slight plus for candles, they also give out a small amount of hand warming heat if really stuck

HillStreetBlues

Farway said:

t0rt0ise said:

When I was a child and power cuts were common we had a candle tin containing white candles, old fish paste jars to hold them, and matches. That was it and we did just fine.

Beat me to it, I was going to mention candles & matches. Keep them where you can find them in the dark, be it kitchen drawer or under sink etc,

As long as everyone knows where they are

Another slight plus for candles, they also give out a small amount of hand warming heat if really stuck

I'm rural (still need a quad or 4x4 on my road) and was expecting to lose power as some point. (happens a few times a year) had a new candle ready.

TimeLord1

If you grew up in the 70s, it was a regular occurrence; we had paraffin lanterns, played board games,  card's and cooked on gas, radio cassette player running on batteries,  torches. Nobody missed TV because three channels ended at midnight started mid morning mostly rubbish no phone, laptop or tablet a total breeze you was free. 🫡

What I notice now that's dangerous is electric chairs and beds that get stuck in the position set and don't have a backup power source to close up. 

HillStreetBlues

TimeLord1 said:

What I notice now that's dangerous is electric chairs and beds that get stuck in the position set and don't have a backup power source to close up. 

I have to agree, sitting on an electric chair doesn't always end well, on the flip side a power cut might be of benefit.

TimeLord1

HillStreetBlues said:

TimeLord1 said:

What I notice now that's dangerous is electric chairs and beds that get stuck in the position set and don't have a backup power source to close up. 

I have to agree, sitting on an electric chair doesn't always end well, on the flip side a power cut might be of benefit.

I think we are safe of being fried alive in the UK. 😁 But I recall it last being used medically. 

Heedtheadvice

I would mention the benefits of tea lights......

but then I thought: unless you are elderly and infirm or you would endanger yourself do so, check on neighbours who might need your help!

MattMattMattUK

Heedtheadvice said:

I would mention the benefits of tea lights......

The massive increase in indoor air pollution for negligible light and irrelevant heat output? No one should be burning candles indoors now we have far better methods of generating light. 

born_again

Make sure you have a EV with V2L so you can run important stuff 👍
Failing that as others candles & something to pass the time.

bob2302

Farway said:

t0rt0ise said:

When I was a child and power cuts were common we had a candle tin containing white candles, old fish paste jars to hold them, and matches. That was it and we did just fine.

Beat me to it, I was going to mention candles & matches.

I keep an old disposable lighter that I found on a bus decades ago. I find it always lights, whereas very old matches often don't.

QrizB

bob2302 said:

Farway said:

t0rt0ise said:

When I was a child and power cuts were common we had a candle tin containing white candles, old fish paste jars to hold them, and matches. That was it and we did just fine.

Beat me to it, I was going to mention candles & matches.

I keep an old disposable lighter that I found on a bus decades ago. I find it always lights, whereas very old matches often don't.

I've got a side gig as a fireworks technician (yes, really).

I've never been let down by one of these, but I carry two

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blowtorch-Windproof-Electronic-Refillable-Lighter/dp/B00JPP650K