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To stockpile 72 hours of supplies

542 replies

seriouslessness · 27/03/2025 13:23

..in case of disaster or attack. A new preparedness strategy inspired by Nordic countries and Germany, who already do this.

Is this something you already do, or will do?

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/26/stockpile-supplies-72-hours-disasters-attack-eu-tells-citizens

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GarlicStyle · 27/03/2025 17:01

seriouslessness · 27/03/2025 14:16

Do you have other things like candles, batteries, a torch, water, medicine etc? It’s not just food.

Yep, I do. It's me age ... when I was a kid, all the adults had backup supplies because of going through a war and its aftermath. I took the habit into my own adulthood. The last time this announcement went out - year before last, maybe - I realised my water purifying tablets were about 20 years out of date so I bought some new ones.

I ditched my emergency wind-up radio that could receive all the wavelengths. It was a pain in the arse and never worked very well. Radio reception's really crummy where I live, I'll probably just rely on shouting out the window to find out the news!

I'm not allowed to keep gas on the property (HA flat). It's a source of very mild anxiety ... when the apocalypse happens, I'll be cold! Waah! I probably won't mind eating cold tinned curry out of the can, though 😂

WoodyOwl · 27/03/2025 17:01

I don't stockpile per say, but since covid, I always buy my loo roll in 24 packs and get a new one when I'm down to my last 12 rolls!

Digdongdoo · 27/03/2025 16:58

varden · 27/03/2025 16:54

I don't really know TBH, but I'm thinking that it can be a bit sharp and sour anyway (the Greek one) so it wouldn't kill me in overnight oats! I've used (refrigerated) yogurts 6-8 weeks (and more) beyond use by date and they have been absolutely fine. That's what made me think they'd last a while out of the fridge. Worth a try anyway, what's the worst that can happen if it's only the taste that's affected, that can be camouflaged with honey and fruit.

Surely you just eat the perishables first? No messing around making overnights, just eat the yoghurt before the fridge warms up?

varden · 27/03/2025 16:54

Gwenhwyfar · 27/03/2025 16:50

The cheese would probably last a bit, but how long would the yogurt last not in a fridge?

I don't really know TBH, but I'm thinking that it can be a bit sharp and sour anyway (the Greek one) so it wouldn't kill me in overnight oats! I've used (refrigerated) yogurts 6-8 weeks (and more) beyond use by date and they have been absolutely fine. That's what made me think they'd last a while out of the fridge. Worth a try anyway, what's the worst that can happen if it's only the taste that's affected, that can be camouflaged with honey and fruit.

Happyspendingthedayinthegarden · 27/03/2025 16:53

The cheese would probably last a bit, but how long would the yogurt last not in a fridge?

Also the bread won't last long - need to be able to make your own. Long life yeast & strong plain flour - or bread mix. I'd also add some tinned veg into the mix as if power off the frozen veg in freezer will only be good for a few days.

TaupeMember · 27/03/2025 16:51

Onlyvisiting · 27/03/2025 13:33

Who has less than 3 days supplies in?????
Edit other than utterly skint people who are forced to live hand to mouth

Edited

Which is a vast percentage of the population 🙄

Gwenhwyfar · 27/03/2025 16:50

varden · 27/03/2025 16:37

I was just thinking there what I could eat if I had no power.

Tinned salmon/tuna
Tinned corned beef
Baked beans
Bread, crackers, Biscuits, cake, chocolate
Fruit
Cheese
Yogurt
Overnight oats with yogurt
Cereal with powdered milk or watered down coffee mate or similar.

I have all the above in, so if there's anything vital I could get in addition, add to the list!

The cheese would probably last a bit, but how long would the yogurt last not in a fridge?

Happyspendingthedayinthegarden · 27/03/2025 16:49

DazzlingCuckoos · 27/03/2025 16:12

If a big enough national/international disaster happened that required everyone to hole up, I don't think 3 days is going to be enough!

I have often thought about getting a little camping stove as we're all electric for our cooking, so it could be helpful in a power cut anyway.

Living in darkest Devon we don't have gas so all electric & get regular power cuts. We have a camping stove/grill as well as a couple of camping lamps kept dully charged, some lights in power sockets that automatically come on when power goes off & lots of candles.

Gwenhwyfar · 27/03/2025 16:48

Onlyvisiting · 27/03/2025 13:33

Who has less than 3 days supplies in?????
Edit other than utterly skint people who are forced to live hand to mouth

Edited

People who have a very small home and live close to a shop. I could probably live for 3 days, but a week could be difficult. I don't have a proper freezer for one thing.

varden · 27/03/2025 16:44

GuessingGownaGoGo · 27/03/2025 16:40

Those little camping stoves are the business - less than £20 and a stock of gas cannisters for a tenner and you'll be fine.
Handy for making tea on the beach too!

Are they the type that you must use outdoors only? I seem to recall that some people died in their tent after using one to cook on, presumably it was carbon monoxide poisoning. Not sure if it was one of the camping stoves though.

TheGhostOfPatButcher · 27/03/2025 16:42

Smallmercies · 27/03/2025 13:55

This is why everyone should aim to carry an extra couple of stone - the 3-day fast will take us back down to a healthy weight.

I've always said I'm saving all my kummerspeck for Armageddon.

Randomparking · 27/03/2025 16:42

Note to self: must get a flint and a bag of tinder.

GuessingGownaGoGo · 27/03/2025 16:40

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 27/03/2025 16:36

Lentils, pasta and eggs is all fine, but what if there is no electricity or gas?

Even making tea will be a problem.

Those little camping stoves are the business - less than £20 and a stock of gas cannisters for a tenner and you'll be fine.
Handy for making tea on the beach too!

seriouslessness · 27/03/2025 16:40

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 27/03/2025 16:36

Lentils, pasta and eggs is all fine, but what if there is no electricity or gas?

Even making tea will be a problem.

Well, that’s when you bring out your little camping stove. 🙂

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SkeletonBatsflyatnight · 27/03/2025 16:39

We'd be fine for longer than 72 hours. I do a lot of my shopping from Costco so it comes in bulk anyway and if necessary could probably manage at least 3 weeks on what we have. Smaller portions obviously and less fresh fruit/vegetables. We do have both a barbecue and a camping stove so not reliant on electricity for cooking. I do also have some bottled water.

I spent a chunk of my childhood on the RAF base closest to the East German border. My father insisted we were "prepared" just in case. I keep a bag in the very bottom of our boot with a change of clothes for everyone, toiletries, some distractions for the kids, torch, spare batteries, first aid kit, tool kit, cash, sewing kit, medication, blankets, cutlery etc. I check it every 3 months or sooner if we've used something. Has come in handy for all sorts of things.

varden · 27/03/2025 16:37

I was just thinking there what I could eat if I had no power.

Tinned salmon/tuna
Tinned corned beef
Baked beans
Bread, crackers, Biscuits, cake, chocolate
Fruit
Cheese
Yogurt
Overnight oats with yogurt
Cereal with powdered milk or watered down coffee mate or similar.

I have all the above in, so if there's anything vital I could get in addition, add to the list!

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 27/03/2025 16:36

Lentils, pasta and eggs is all fine, but what if there is no electricity or gas?

Even making tea will be a problem.

seriouslessness · 27/03/2025 16:36

GuessingGownaGoGo · 27/03/2025 16:34

What the Geoff is blueberry and rosehip soup?

They are more hot drinks than soup. Usually drunk during winter.

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Randomparking · 27/03/2025 16:35

seriouslessness · 27/03/2025 16:22

I think they shouldn’t have used the word stockpiling in the article. It’s the wrong word for what they are advising.

I agree. The word 'stockpiling' takes on a hint of hysteria - just thinking of the Covid-years toilet roll stupidity.

Generally speaking, it's good planning be prepared for any sudden unexpected situation. My cupboard always has a supply of candles, matches, a wind-up radio, a wind-up torch, a new set of PJs (in case of emergency hospital admission), a new pack of knickers, spare sanitary stuff, etc. My mother taught me well. 😀 I have a friend who carries everything but the kitchen sink in their huge handbag - I'm sure they'd be able to pull out a defibrillator if needed.

RafaFan · 27/03/2025 16:34

Most essential piece of advice is to keep cash on hand. After Hurricane Fiona in Canada electricity and communications were down for days and it had a huge effect on electronic payments. Nobody was using a card or phone to pay for anything for days. Also a battery radio, to get up to date info when communications are down.

GuessingGownaGoGo · 27/03/2025 16:34

seriouslessness · 27/03/2025 16:30

This is the list of food in the leaflet from our government recommendations, if anyone is interested. Would be interesting to read other countries advise.

rib.msb.se/filer/pdf/30874.pdf

What the Geoff is blueberry and rosehip soup?

seriouslessness · 27/03/2025 16:33

GuessingGownaGoGo · 27/03/2025 16:29

If things get bad, quite a few squirrels visit my garden.

'Lovely bit of squirrel' might become a reality.

How does one go about catching a squirrel though?

Didn’t Elvis use to eat fried squirrel? You should watch Alone on TV, they catch and eat squirrel all the time. Usually with an arrow I think. 😂

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Meadowfinch · 27/03/2025 16:32

I can't imagine not having three days food in. I shop once a week, on a Saturday, so Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I always have at least 3 days of food in.

I also keep........
Frozen fish
dried pasta, lentils, rice, couscous
Tinned beans, fruit, fish
Bottled fruit, pickles
Waxed cheese
UHT milk
Wholemeal bread flour and dried yeast.

...so generally have a week's worth of store cupboard ingredients that we could eat if necessary. I have a log burner that I can cook on, and a year's fuel.

It wouldn't be Michelin starred but we wouldn't starve.

seriouslessness · 27/03/2025 16:31

Unpaidviewer · 27/03/2025 16:30

I think people are confused as to why 72 hours is quoted. It's a short enough time that people could afford to have that amount of supplies. It's long enough that the government could get water and supplies to you if they choose to do so.

Exactly.

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