prepping for being snowed in

[katilea]

Hi

I'm new. I'm disabled and live alone with my two dogs. As I need wheelchair outdoors as soon as we get deep snow or it freezes over I'm totally housebound. I'm on a cul de sac road (on a hill) that never gets gritted and is like sheet ice when it ices over. Unlike most others I can't just walk out of my house through the snow to the village shops if my food delivery doesn't turn up.

In 2010 we had worst snow I've had since I had to use a wheelchair and everyone seemed to forget about me I was totally snowed in for 2 weeks, no-one thought to check if i had enough food and my food delivery cancelled as driver had gone off the road in the ice the day before. This has resulted in situation where I hear its gonna snow or see snow coming down fast it triggers a panic attack and my anxiety levels are through the roof the entire time, just at possibility of snow staying for weeks and next food shop not getting here etc.

I'm also deaf so communication isn't easy either. my dogs are my assistance dogs (1 now retired nearly 14 now and young 2 yr old dog).

I've just got a small spare chest freezer in sales, but worried about power cuts as I rely on internet to communicate, shop etc as I can't use a regular phone. I'm wondering about camping stuff and wondering what cooker/ rings would be easiest for me to use? I can't light matches safely so would prefer something that couldn't leak (gas) or need lighting with matches.

I wondered if there was any solar powered battery chargers to charge batteries for lighting etc?

I'd struggle with cans without an electric can opener so can anyone suggest brand name food that came in pouches and has long life and stored in cupboard/spare room etc, could be cooked in one pan on a little camping stove and which would be safest kind of camping kettle for me to use for boiling water? I'm hoping if I feel 'prepared' it will stop the anxiety attacks as soon as a snowflake lands!

Thanks very much.

Kati

[jansman]

Welcome to the forum. I am sure there is enough information here to help you.

[unsure]

have u considered one of these , no need for match`s

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORTABLE-GAS- ... 1321041333

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gas-Cooker-BB ... 4d285024f5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vestey-Foods- ... 5638&rt=nc

just a quick google and you can get what u need , from solar trickle chargers to mre`s .

hope this helps you to be less dependent on delivery drivers

[Wulfshead]

Firstly Hi and welcome.

OK, what first came to mind was a single ring gas camping cooker that you would not need matches to light.
To that end I thought of the Campingaz cartridge cooker which has an electric ignition built into the gas heat regulation knob, I use them and my pensioner mother-in-law has one we bought her for emergencies. I kid you not they are foolproof and changing gas is a simple job with the aerosol can size gas canisters.

http://www.garden4less.co.uk/proddetail ... oCSQ3w_wcB

As for solar, there are informed bods here that can offer advise.
My son and I are working on a system for lighting and amateur radio coms but I'll pass on to you our lighting design choice when we have worked out the bugs.

I have a bad back but when I read of a person with specific needs such as your's I really hope we can offer advice to aid you and ease your worry.

Once again, Welcome.

Wulfshead

[katilea]

Hi

Thanks... Do you know where can I find a online supplier of long life food in pouches that will keep without being frozen/refridgerated? or brands I can look up to see which supermarkets stock them for delivery?


I'll take a look at that cooker thanks. the gas cannot leak if you are clumsy fitting it? (have slight intention tremor) ..

Also looking for easiest kettle to handle where couldn't spill boiling water if hand shakes a bit? ...Are there any others on here with mobility problems who have found equipment easy to use and which?

[katilea]

have u considered one of these , no need for match`s

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORTABLE-GAS- ... 1321041333

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gas-Cooker-BB ... 4d285024f5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vestey-Foods- ... 5638&rt=nc

just a quick google and you can get what u need , from solar trickle chargers to mre`s .

hope this helps you to be less dependent on delivery drivers

Thanks I will look up these. The answer thing seems slow as everything needs to be moderated so apologies to anyone else who has answered by the time this post and my reply to wulfshead (which came up first) comes on here.

[unsure]

i should all so have said that there should be a support mechanism in place to help meet your specific needs . might be worth asking around your area or doctor about this .


can i ask were abouts are you , not the door but a general area would help .

[bob the builder]

Welcome

And I agree about the gas stoves being full proof we use them with the scouts and they have tried to break them but not yet. The gas is a self seal can so won't leak and easy to fit but will only go in one way and you need to push a leaver down to engage it and if it's in wrong it won't go down. We have had a few that the electric ignition has died on so worth getting some of the lighters as well as a back up but ours prob due to use.


Just as a thought what about self heating meals and drinks have no experience but heard mixed reviews on taste and how easy to use but they are supposed to have a good shelf life 5 years and would reduce the need to use a camping stove. Just a thought and a quick Google search should bring up quite a selection, hopefully someone else has had experience and can advise you some more

[Stasher]

I have pouches of food in the car for emergencies, they can be eaten hot or cold and are available from www.gooutdoors.co.uk (who deliver)

These may be suitable for you to have as, although it's good to have a hot meal, you can just tear the sachets open and consume at will!

Take a look thro the how are you preparing threads as there's loads of info about how people prep medium to long term eg dried whole egg. Most of us get supplies from the major supermarkets (all who deliver). It's just a case of planning and executing rather than reaction. My tinned veg cupboard has been bursting at the seams for the last 8 weeks+ as I try to ensure we have stocks to last when 'cut off'

Have a mooch about, it's amazing how much info is on here and how it can be adapted to individual needs

Oh, and welcome!

[Yorkshire Andy]

As above the bistro stoves are great flip open side panel load in gas cartridge (knotch upward under clip) close panel press down gas on lever

Turn on gas knob till it clicks and there's heat...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zlh6_nPiCsc


Most of the big name tinned food suppliers now come with ring pulls have you seen this?

http://www.careco.co.uk/item-p-dl06023/ ... Agoe8P8HAQ


As for camping kettle
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yellowstone-Sta ... B00NHJXD00