Hi Peeps, some discussion with the SOH has yielded an agreement that it would be of benefit for us to test out some situations which could definitely happen.
We have (like most of the country) had power cuts. Our estate has rarely been without power for more than a few hours, but we agreed that we need to know how we would cope if power went for an extended period of time. It's OK for a short amount of time, but what if it was a whole weekend?
So, although she's about to start a new job (and is stressing massively about it) and as a result we haven't got a planned date, one weekend in February will be spent without power. And yes, even (or especially) if it snows that weekend.
The purpose of this is to give us an idea in our well supplied life what things we'd miss most, what we need to make sure we stock and how we'd go about running the house without things like heating and lighting and the Interweb.
So, the plan is for the power (and maybe Gas, not agreed that yet) to be turned off on Friday evening of the weekend yet to be agreed, and not turned on again until Sunday evening. The fridge and freezer will slowly defrost, the kettle won't be available and the central heating will be something we will miss the most.
Is anyone else up for the challenge?
Mallie
Black-Out Test Run
Black-Out Test Run
Entirely certain that nothing is certain
Location: Areas 8 & 10
Location: Areas 8 & 10
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Cromicon
Re: Black-Out Test Run
It's a good idea and something I really want to do. *sigh*
I've been told unequivocally (and loudly) that I can't. All I can do now is hope for a power cut.
Let us know how you get on though!
I've been told unequivocally (and loudly) that I can't. All I can do now is hope for a power cut.
Let us know how you get on though!
Re: Black-Out Test Run
It's a good idea to practice although I wouldn't go all the way as to pull the plug out of the freezer. you could potentially ruin a whole load of food. Why not just remove a certain amount perhaps into insulated boxes to simulate the slow thaw and use that leaving your freezer running but untouched. The fridge you could turn off as in reality there's rarely more than a few tens of pounds worth of food in anyones fridge to spoil. Heating could be turned off and maybe fuses removed or trips flicked to off but I really can't see the point of turning off the freezer.
How widespread are you playing the blackout? Are you assuming localised which gives you the opportunity to travel to somewhere or are you assuming a country wide event and having little choice but to stay put?
How widespread are you playing the blackout? Are you assuming localised which gives you the opportunity to travel to somewhere or are you assuming a country wide event and having little choice but to stay put?
Re: Black-Out Test Run
Don't go into your main supplies to survive this little exercise will you?
If I did that a real blackout would happen before I could replace them.
So best to plan this thing separately...like going camping but at home.
Good luck with it.
If I did that a real blackout would happen before I could replace them.
So best to plan this thing separately...like going camping but at home.
Good luck with it.
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preppingsu
Re: Black-Out Test Run
Would not touch any gas mains etc unless you have the correct training/licences etc. You could end up with a real problem! 
Maybe the same with the electric.
Just 'pretend' it has gone off ie just don't use it for the day/weekend etc.
Don't forget to practise this scenario with water too. So no running water out of taps, no water to flush the loo etc. It really puts your water preps to the test!
Maybe the same with the electric. Just 'pretend' it has gone off ie just don't use it for the day/weekend etc.
Don't forget to practise this scenario with water too. So no running water out of taps, no water to flush the loo etc. It really puts your water preps to the test!
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2ndRateMind
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:26 am
- Location: Bristol
Re: Black-Out Test Run
I think this is a really good idea. But I need to buy more camping gas first, before I commit to joining you. It's on my list of priorities, but given my limited budget, I won't be buying for a couple of months, yet.
Omnes qui errant non pereunt
Not all who wander are lost
Not all who wander are lost
Re: Black-Out Test Run
Know how you feel Cromicon but an elderly mother that feels the cold stops me doing thisCromicon wrote:It's a good idea and something I really want to do. *sigh*
I've been told unequivocally (and loudly) that I can't. All I can do now is hope for a power cut.
Let us know how you get on though!
AREA's 5-6 and 4
Feet the original All Terrain Vehicle
Feet the original All Terrain Vehicle
Re: Black-Out Test Run
good idea to have a trial run, I bet there are a lot of people in the recent bad weather who wished they'd done the same!
Adapt or Die, there is no middle ground.
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damaralenoire
- Posts: 190
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:12 pm
- Location: Wales
Re: Black-Out Test Run
Sounds an interesting challenge to compare our efforts afterwards. I have however for the last few months been spending the odd 24 hours without using any of mjy electric or gas appliances, no lights, just what stuff i have stored, it is fun, even now this past 2 weeks, ihave refused to put the heating on just to start learning to live with the idea of using blankets more and adding layers when i get cold. TBH since i have been doing i have been having the best sleep ever.
AREA 12
“Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.”
“Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.”
Re: Black-Out Test Run
Were very much up for this, we've been chatting about it recently. We won't be turning off mains though, just not using lights etc. Our only real change though will be lights and internet, hot water and cooking are done on the rayburn and multi stove, so I feel a bit of a cheat. On the other hand this is what we've been investing in to make us less dependent on the man.