Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask - what did I miss? (Stockpiling)

27 replies

TheCabbageMerchant · 10/09/2026 13:25

Yes, maybe I've been living under a rock but I've seen a couple of threads now about stockpiling on Mumsnet, but as far as I know, no friends, families or colleagues "in real life" are remotely concerned with stockpiling (that I know of course, they could all be massive hoarders but I suspect I'd be aware in many cases). I'm also not sure what the reason is for the stockpiling? I've been following the news but haven't seen anything to cause panic (alien invasion, zombie apocalypse, tsunami warnings...)

Is it just Mumsnet mass hysteria or is this an actual thing?

All I've got stockpiled is several tins of chopped tomatoes and more Worcestershire sauce than anyone could use in a lifetime but I guess I could rustle something up out of that....

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
WoesFromAuntFlo · 10/09/2026 14:03

It’s not as bad as people are making out and actually the guidance has been clear for some time
familyprep.co.uk/guides/uk-government-prepare-campaign

NotPerfectlyAdverage · 10/09/2026 14:01

There's no advice to stockpile on here? It's to prepare / be prepaired. I have bought a wool blanket today in the charity shop for my cars back seat in the extremely unlikely event of snow and getting stuck in it.

But I only bought one. Stockpiling is buying more then you would normally need.

I have also bought one head torch per person in my house plus one for the car. So I don't need to post a video of myself crying outside of Tesco because I live hour to hour and only buy the days meals every night.

So don't be shocked when there's a power cut and you have nothing in for dinner. It's basic adulting stuff.

Maybe it's a subtle way of the gov to say they expect bad storms or power cuts of God forbid hostile events. Don't go posting whinging on FB but think ahead and look after your own needs.

KitschIntoKitchen · 10/09/2026 13:58

I’ve added three wine boxes to my next Sainsbury's delivery. 🙂.
But being serious, I have enough tinned and dried food to last me for weeks. I grew up in a place that was regularly cut off in winter, so it’s ingrained in me to be prepared.

ghostyslovesheets · 10/09/2026 13:55

I’m not hysterical about it and agree its common sense - more so now

I live in a small town in the Midlands and we’ve had 3 power cuts in the last two weeks - all brief and overnight but it makes sense to prepare

HeckYeah · 10/09/2026 13:54

LilyBunch25 · 10/09/2026 13:53

Apologies if I misunderstood, and yes, exactly. Just common sense. It's more irritating when people accuse anyone a bit forward thinking of being some kind or extreme prepper or doom monger 🙈

Show quote history

Agree.

LilyBunch25 · 10/09/2026 13:53

HeckYeah · 10/09/2026 13:50

I know. I agree.

I am talking about all the posters using words like mass hysteria, government just causing panic, angry over people stockpiling toilet paper years ago etc.

When in the rest of the world it’s just common sense. It’s like people can’t think for themselves.

Show quote history

Apologies if I misunderstood, and yes, exactly. Just common sense. It's more irritating when people accuse anyone a bit forward thinking of being some kind or extreme prepper or doom monger 🙈

HeckYeah · 10/09/2026 13:52

Flamingojune · 10/09/2026 13:36

Its a free world

Show quote history

Huh? That makes no sense.

HeckYeah · 10/09/2026 13:50

LilyBunch25 · 10/09/2026 13:44

It's not ridiculous or fake drama. No one is talking about extremes, and a lot of people do this anyway that are in areas subject to power cuts or are very rural. Common sense isn't drama.

Show quote history

I know. I agree.

I am talking about all the posters using words like mass hysteria, government just causing panic, angry over people stockpiling toilet paper years ago etc.

When in the rest of the world it’s just common sense. It’s like people can’t think for themselves.

AlwayAnxious · 10/09/2026 13:49

Wind up or battery radio

Torch with spare batteries

Bottled Water

Long life food items that dont have to be cooked

If you have a baby, then things like nappies, wipes, baby milk, Food pouches that can be given uncooked etc

Think these were the main things

Original poster
TheCabbageMerchant · 10/09/2026 13:48

LilyBunch25 · 10/09/2026 13:44

It's not ridiculous or fake drama. No one is talking about extremes, and a lot of people do this anyway that are in areas subject to power cuts or are very rural. Common sense isn't drama.

Show quote history

I used to live very rurally so I do understand that side of it. It was more about power cuts and getting snowed in though. Still never kept much in but always did have torches ready and a kettle that could be used on the gas etc

OP posts:
LilyBunch25 · 10/09/2026 13:44

HeckYeah · 10/09/2026 13:35

It’s ridiculous with all the fake drama, what is it with British people.

Show quote history

It's not ridiculous or fake drama. No one is talking about extremes, and a lot of people do this anyway that are in areas subject to power cuts or are very rural. Common sense isn't drama.

Original poster
TheCabbageMerchant · 10/09/2026 13:37

Elaine118 · 10/09/2026 13:33

It's clear from the first line of the OP that they have.

Just read them @TheCabbageMerchant , it will probably be more fun than getting your arse handed to you on this thread.

Show quote history

Didn't realise it was such a controversial topic to be honest! Off to have a gander...and do as I am told!

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 10/09/2026 13:37

Flamingojune · 10/09/2026 13:36

Its a free world

Show quote history

That doesn’t even make sense.

Original poster
TheCabbageMerchant · 10/09/2026 13:36

Didn't know I was going to upset so many people so easily. 😂

It's not faux naivety, but I scan the news (didn't see it) and I've seen the thread titles but mainly scrolled past - but saw another one today and though HUH? Opened that one but it doesn't say why they are stockpiling.

Feel like I am being scolded by my long-dead mother for NOT PAYING ATTENTION, my bad, must scour the BBC webssite every day. Noted).

Now I've read that link above I'm still not really clear on the panic.

So sorry @thecows that my post is so triggering for you 💐

OP posts:
Flamingojune · 10/09/2026 13:36

ToKittyornottoKitty · 10/09/2026 13:31

She obviously has seen them, read the OP

Show quote history

Its a free world

HeckYeah · 10/09/2026 13:35

Thecows · 10/09/2026 13:31

Yes stop being so ridiculous with the faux naivety, what is it with British people making sure you've got a buffer in case of the multitude of mundane things that can happen?

It’s ridiculous with all the fake drama, what is it with British people.

Elaine118 · 10/09/2026 13:33

Flamingojune · 10/09/2026 13:30

Perhaps op hasnt seen them and is not glued to mumsnet

Show quote history

It's clear from the first line of the OP that they have.

Just read them @TheCabbageMerchant , it will probably be more fun than getting your arse handed to you on this thread.

AtlasPine · 10/09/2026 13:33

Just don’t buy stuff you don’t generally like or eat. Then you don’t waste it - use and replace every now and then to keep the pile fresh.

HeckYeah · 10/09/2026 13:33

Flamingojune · 10/09/2026 13:30

Perhaps op hasnt seen them and is not glued to mumsnet

Show quote history

Well, I based it on that she says she has.

Thecows · 10/09/2026 13:33

It's also on the BBC website and on the news a couple of days ago if you'd bothered to pay attention

Ifeeltheneedtheneedforcoffee · 10/09/2026 13:32

As above the government has updated their advice and website about what to do in an emergency. Some papers and posters have then taken at as "proof" that something terrible is about to happen/its all a conspiracy etc etc
The advice has been around years and is fairly sensible for things like power cuts etc
https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/

Prepare - Prepare

Find out how to prepare for an emergency in your area. There are simple and effective steps you can take to be more prepared.

https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk

Thecows · 10/09/2026 13:31

Yes stop being so ridiculous with the faux naivety, what is it with British people making sure you've got a buffer in case of the multitude of mundane things that can happen?

ToKittyornottoKitty · 10/09/2026 13:31

Flamingojune · 10/09/2026 13:30

Perhaps op hasnt seen them and is not glued to mumsnet

Show quote history

She obviously has seen them, read the OP

Flamingojune · 10/09/2026 13:30

HeckYeah · 10/09/2026 13:29

Why don’t you just read all the other 5 threads about it instead of starting yet another one?

Perhaps op hasnt seen them and is not glued to mumsnet