just starting out

[Jerseyspud]

Welcome

Not only stock what you would eat, or is best to eat, make sure you have a way to cook it as well. If your house runs all on electric, invest in a camping stove or the like.

Water is vital.

Think about what could go wrong and how you would get around it.

Power cut:

no heating
no cooking
potentially no water
no lighting

How would you get around that?

Food wise not only stock what you would eat, but how would you cook it and whats the calories like. No point stocking 100 tins of low calories soup as long term that won't help you as much as stocking 50 tins of soup and 50 packs of cous cous etc.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Welcome

Not only stock what you would eat, or is best to eat, make sure you have a way to cook it as well. If your house runs all on electric, invest in a camping stove or the like.

Water is vital.

Think about what could go wrong and how you would get around it.

Power cut:

no heating
no cooking
potentially no water
no lighting

How would you get around that?

Food wise not only stock what you would eat, but how would you cook it and whats the calories like. No point stocking 100 tins of low calories soup as long term that won't help you as much as stocking 50 tins of soup and 50 packs of cous cous etc.

Ill play along to give some ideas

Power cut:

no heating

The wife biggest fear

Personal: thermals / long John's / quilted trousers extra blankets (wool) winter sleeping bags plus the usual bedding and been a Yorkshire man the big coat

Kids snow suits / vests / hat scarfs

On a house level. Bio ethanol fire place , calor heater, diesel heater , inverter / generator to power combi boiler , thick curtains


no cooking

Multiple camping stoves / grill / camp oven


potentially no water
Stored water, plus water filtration / extra storage for rain water

no lighting

torches :


Led lanterns / solar lights / glow sticks / candles / Kerro lantern/ gas Lanterns / petrol lantern / sensor battery lights / push lights .. oh and more torches

[Jerseyspud]

Welcome

Not only stock what you would eat, or is best to eat, make sure you have a way to cook it as well. If your house runs all on electric, invest in a camping stove or the like.

Water is vital.

Think about what could go wrong and how you would get around it.

Power cut:

no heating
no cooking
potentially no water
no lighting

How would you get around that?

Food wise not only stock what you would eat, but how would you cook it and whats the calories like. No point stocking 100 tins of low calories soup as long term that won't help you as much as stocking 50 tins of soup and 50 packs of cous cous etc.

Ill play along to give some ideas

Power cut:

no heating

The wife biggest fear

Personal: thermals / long John's / quilted trousers extra blankets (wool) winter sleeping bags plus the usual bedding and been a Yorkshire man the big coat

Kids snow suits / vests / hat scarfs

On a house level. Bio ethanol fire place , calor heater, diesel heater , inverter / generator to power combi boiler , thick curtains


no cooking

Multiple camping stoves / grill / camp oven


potentially no water
Stored water, plus water filtration / extra storage for rain water

no lighting

torches :


Led lanterns / solar lights / glow sticks / candles / Kerro lantern/ gas Lanterns / petrol lantern / sensor battery lights / push lights .. oh and more torches

You and your torches

it is a bit of a game but i find it makes you think

[GillyBee]

I sometimes think about it as "what are the external inputs my household needs?" And then try to work out what would help if one (or more) was out of commission.

Electricity - use camping kit.
Gas - Lots of layers to stay warm. Camping kit for hot water. Cold showers are good for you?????
Water - Stored water, disinfectant tablets, filters
Sewage - dig a big hole in the back garden and build a composting loo?
Waste collection - Burn it, reuse it, take it to the dump yourself (if open) Squash and store. (My poor garden)
Internet/Phone/post/TV/Radio - communication and information
Groceries - emergency stores Veg garden, foraging
Medical - hospital/GP/Prescriptions/over the counter stores/First Aid skills supplies/herbal medicines that work

You get the idea...

[PhilipB]

well I do like to go camping so I do have a number of gas and solid fuel camping stoves, water containers, camping lanterns ect ect.

Im also lucky enought to have a house with an open fire so I do have some capacity for heating during a power cut


anyone got any tips on what powderd milk to buy for mid to long term storage

[jennyjj01]

anyone got any tips on what powderd milk to buy for mid to long term storage

Nido 900 g cans. Often on Rollback at asda at about £7. Not listed at the moment. Usually in the ethnic foods aisle. It's full fat which gives more possibilities for cooking with it. Maybe won't last quite so long because of the fat content.

https://mysupermarketcompare.co.uk/prod ... wder-900g/

Sainsbury own brand in plastic sachets used to be good value.
https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/pro ... owder-300g

Beware powdered milk ( and gravy browning ) in cardboard drums.

It's all rather dear, but if SHTF I wouldn't want to be without some for my tea or coffee.

[jansman]

Also ,something rarely mentioned on a domestic level: a battery radio,so that you can keep informed of what is going on if it is a widespread emergency. Don’t forget spare batteries,and to keep them rotated.

[GillyBee]

Maybe a radio with shortwave capability? I note that the BBC has reverted to broadcasting into Russia in shortwave as it can be broadcast from outside the country. It feels old fashioned but clearly works.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Also ,something rarely mentioned on a domestic level: a battery radio,so that you can keep informed of what is going on if it is a widespread emergency. Don’t forget spare batteries,and to keep them rotated.

Can't beat a decent wireless

Most of the "emergency" radios are just not worth the money...

I've got a raddy emergency radio and to be fair it's not worth the money it sounds like a cheap radio the solar panel just about keeps it topped up on storage on a east facing window sill and the tuner knob is not lined up with the frequency / is very jerky ......

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Upgraded-Emerg ... B0893V1YY4


The humble Lidl cheap battery radio sounds better and lasts an age on aa batteries


Ps when did a basic FM / am / SW battery radio cost £20+ think I paid that for my Lidl dab special

[jansman]

Also ,something rarely mentioned on a domestic level: a battery radio,so that you can keep informed of what is going on if it is a widespread emergency. Don’t forget spare batteries,and to keep them rotated.

Can't beat a decent wireless

Most of the "emergency" radios are just not worth the money...

I've got a raddy emergency radio and to be fair it's not worth the money it sounds like a cheap radio the solar panel just about keeps it topped up on storage on a east facing window sill and the tuner knob is not lined up with the frequency / is very jerky ......

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Upgraded-Emerg ... B0893V1YY4


The humble Lidl cheap battery radio sounds better and lasts an age on aa batteries


Ps when did a basic FM / am / SW battery radio cost £20+ think I paid that for my Lidl dab special

I have a couple of little Sony jobs.AA batteries ( rechargeable) that can be powered via your original Lidl style solar set up.Thats working a treat by the way.