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Prepping for Winter 2017

16 replies

BiddyPop · 08/09/2017 16:23

Hi all,

In light of the current turbulent hurricane season, and some pretty heavy downpours in Ireland already, I have been starting to think about prepping for winter again.

I know I need to get my "car boot kit" properly finished (I have a small toolbox with gloves, torch, small swiss army knife, some re-usable heat pads, couple of band aids and sterile wipes, and 2 treat-sized bags of Haribos, and separately a new puncture repair kit - I need water, a new de-icer, and a thin blanket at least).

Our house is pretty well insulated, but I want to clear out a lot of junk and put my emergency supplies in a better place.

And I need to organize my BOB (Bug-Out-Bag) in general - things like copies of passports, set of clothes each and some cash.

Do any of you have plans of things you want to organize as this winter season is coming upon us?

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Phosphorus · 08/09/2017 16:29

I love the idea of prepping for winter, but I live in SE England, and I honestly can't remember the last time it was even properly cold.

It snowed lightly in 2010, and though the papers acted as though the country was snowbound, we actually had about half a centimetre of snow settle on garden walls.

So my prep would amount to cluttering up the junk room for cold that will never come.

I'll watch other people's prep though, and dream of moving to Canada Grin .

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ThroughThickAndThin01 · 08/09/2017 16:41

I love these winter prepping threads too, but also se and with a snowfall reminiscent of dandruff if at all Grin

Are there any long range weather forecasts worth watching, does anyone know?

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BiddyPop · 08/09/2017 18:13

It's not all about snow though, heavy rain, damaging winds, public transport problems etc. General winter preparations really.

Snow is nearly the easiest as that means indoors, heat and good food.

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Phosphorus · 09/09/2017 00:15

Sadly we don't get any of that either. We've never even had a power cut.

I am the proud owner of a pair of ice grip things that go over your shoes, and some foil blankets from the £1 shop though.

They are still in their original packaging, and are about four years old, but I live in hope!

English weather is terribly dull. I reckon I'd have more luck in Scotland.

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Oraiste · 09/09/2017 12:27

I have everything you do in the car but I also throw in 2 sleeping bags rolled and bagged. They don't take up much space. Also some black bin bags which could give another layer of insulation if stuck. Long commute and unpredictable winter weather means it's good to know that if something happened you've got some back up.

As for home, it's handy to have some reserves and you never know when you might have to go at short notice - gas leak, etc.

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Whatthefoxgoingon · 09/09/2017 15:19

I have 5 foil blankets and the RAC number in the car. I'm not going to even need the former.

If you blink too slowly the snow we get in London will have melted Wink

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AlphaStation · 09/09/2017 19:05

I don't think you should keep your sleeping bags rolled and bagged, stored yes but not rolled nor bagged, but rather keep them in a big sack and then if you need to you squeeze them into the small bag for transportation. Otherwise they'll become too compressed, with time.

I don't organise anything in particular for the winter season, generally.

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Newtssuitcase · 10/09/2017 20:01

I love getting ready for winter. I think I was a squirrel in a past life.

Car kit is in a box from last year. It gets taken out and replaced with the summer car kit and then just put back in.

We all need new winter boots this year. I put the second layer of the quilt back on yesterday and have washed all the throws to freshen them up. I also did a bit of a stock take of the store cupboard today to see what we are lacking. We get snowed in very easily here (although very little snow last year).

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AtlanticWaves · 11/09/2017 14:27

I'm as prepped as I can be.

No car so no car kit needed.

Camping lights in case of power cuts. Windup radio and USB charger.

Candles.

I always have a large stock of food.

We can't cook it though if the power is off because we live in a flat.

30 litres of water stored.

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Sodaface · 11/09/2017 18:55

Ok I'm with you, I live in the middle of Northern Ireland near the top of a mountain so it's important we prepare.

I've gathered wood for the fire and dry stored it.
Collected lots of porridge/berries/water etc
I've a reliable car that gets me down the moinutain on most attempts, it's harder to get up. I keep the tank filled just incase.

We've had quite a few power cuts recently so I've stocked up on torches/candles in the bedrooms & living room. I want them handy to get to.

Extra warm blankets/throws
Had the aga serviced, it's heats the house and will also cook food nicely incase the electric cooker cuts out.

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AlphaStation · 11/09/2017 19:08

@AtlanticWaves, of course you can cook if you do it on an Trangia stove, complete with a meths burner, windshield base, handle, two saucepans, one kettle and one fry-pan. Cost about £75 but you could get it piece by piece also.

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BiddyPop · 15/09/2017 10:34

Atlantic I know there are outdoor camping gas stoves, but wouldn't argos or similar have a 2 ring indoor version? I know they do 1/2 plate electric ones for studio flats and students leaving home type situations, but I thought I'd seen a gas version in the past as well.

Otherwise, while it might not be that great to cook, but could at least heat things up - look into getting one of those serving dish holders that you have a couple of nightlights in to keep food warm. If you used those with some camping pots/pan/kettle (as they tend to be lighter metal not suited to regular stove but heat up faster so would take less energy to cook with), you may still be able to do something with no power in a flat - heat a kettle, make a fried egg, boil frankfurters.....just small portions of things that don't need huge cooking at any one time.

THe other option would be getting a camping stove to use on the balcony, if you have one - even if tiny, that should work ok, once you wrap up warm to do the cooking Grin

I was going to get a Kelly Kettle, for hiking and camping but also prepping reasons - but I have to buy a smaller tent more urgently than I expected (for Scouts) and I had wanted a reasonable one (I'll use for Scout things for a good few years, and I reckon DD will want to borrow it on occasion as well as she moves up along). So that budget is gone for the moment.

I've decided though to suggest the kettle to DH for a Christmas present, as I never know what to look for.

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cozietoesie · 16/09/2017 13:22

Those of you who live in the South East - in particular. Are you prepared for FIRE? You might not get snow but you could anticipate a blaze at any time.

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SideOrderofSprouts · 23/09/2017 20:45

I live in the Channel Islands and prep for winter. Mainly because if it snows then everything stops here

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Weedsnseeds1 · 25/09/2017 09:09

You could buy or make a rocket stove if you have somewhere to cook outside.
Very efficient and run on twigs ( or grass, cardboard if you can't find twigs). The first one is purchased, second one made last summer from bits and bobs.

Prepping for Winter 2017
Prepping for Winter 2017
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shhhfastasleep · 28/11/2017 13:22

I have some camping gear for cooking but would plan to build a rocket stove type thing outside if it went on too long . My thrifty Dad (WWII vet) built one when I was a kid. I recently watched some YouTube vids about it and it triggered a memory .

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