What is a "blackout"?

[Fiestyfish]

I keep seeing in the papers about possible "blackouts" this winter due to the energy issues but what will this entail? Short power cuts? Power cuts that last days? No heating?

No electricity, no heating.

I seem to remember when I was a child in the 70's they went on for 12/24 hours.

Good old Brexit

The electricity will be turned off.

They were quite exciting in the 70's but we weren't as reliant then.

Buy candles
Power banks for your mobile and tablets
4g on mobile
books
Board games
Blankets
Tinned food snacks you can eat cold
Don't panic !

May be timed and pre arranged so you will know in advance
That Tuesday in your region no power between 1 and 3xpm

I didn’t mind them in the seventies but it’s a bit different when you’re a child and if course we weren’t all so energy reliant as we are nowadays

Oh wow ok. Do we think this is a real possibility? Should I do something to prepare?! I’m very unprepared for this kind of thing, generally run batteries right down etc

Eeek really?! Is this in the news??

In the unlikely event we do need to turn off it'll be well publicised.
Don't let the headlines and Vlads Gru face panic you.

It's worrying from a cost pov but I reckon they will let Vlad have his pipe before they switch off.

No electricity for a few hours; get some candles in or other means of illuminating your home. I'm going to but some smokeless fuel, so I can light a fire if necessary. Also clean the vacuum flasks, so I can boil a kettle and have a hot drink while sitting it out.

They're quite common in most of the world. Even in California, the decrepit power infrastructure browns out at times of peak demand. No streetlights, etc. Hospitals using back up generators. Candles and matches in stock, and a camping stove is a good shout.

It wasn't great but we got through it, I think my parents used to put blankets over the fridge to keep the cold in. Don't open the fridge freezer, make sure you have a light source. Power bank for gadgets.

It did get cold but my overriding memory was boredom and early nights.

You'll be ok, just imagine you're going camping!

I live in an area where we are susceptible to electric powercuts. It's good to be prepared. We always have torches charged, candles and matches to hand, logs and kindling for the fire, big pile of warm blankets, powerbanks and kindles charged and solar lamps in the porch that are kept switched off but should be charged when we need them for a bit of security when the street lights are out. The hob is gas so we can eat at least. I remember the powercuts of the 70s as well and as a child it was quite fun. Probably not so much for for the adults.

Also, hot water bottles.

@Fiestyfish

Oh wow ok. Do we think this is a real possibility? Should I do something to prepare?! I’m very unprepared for this kind of thing, generally run batteries right down etc

Buy some power banks

It’s important not to open your freezer while the power is off, and for a while after depending how long you’ve been without power.

You can invest in a freezer thermometer which will let you know how warm your freezer got. I just freeze water in a clear medicine cup and then put a wet penny on top and leave it somewhere it won’t be knocked over. If the power goes, i can see from where the penny is whether the freezer got too warm.

I’m getting the dc into the habit of charging their devices every time.

It’s worth thinking about an alternative way to cook if you rely on electricity but check if it’s safe to use indoors.

Keep a torch easily accessible, somewhere you won’t trip over something in darkness.

I remember blackouts in the 1970s as being a few hours. They may have been overnight, but that didn't register with me.

The blackouts were all on a rota so you knew when they were happening.

In the 70s they were planned and you knew in advance which days and for how long.
There was no Internet so you didn't feel too disconnected, just had to plan around it. It was only electricity so if you had a gas cooker or fire you could manage.
Wherei live we have power cuts 3 or 4 times a year, used to be more. So I keep a box of wind up torches, a camping lamp and a plug in telephone (no mobile signal). Also have a few ready charged power packs and lots of rechargeable PIR lights around the house (not because of power cuts but they are handy).

Candles aren't very safe, you'd be better off with an LED torch and hurricane lamps where the flame is enclosed at least. You can buy indoor quality lamp oil with low odour - always ensure ventilation though.

A gas camping stove is useful. Dh is setting us up with two car batteries and an invertor so we can still have Internet and charge phones.

yy be wary of candles.

@MarthaJonesPhone

No electricity, no heating.

I seem to remember when I was a child in the 70's they went on for 12/24 hours.

I remember that too, getting ready for school in pitch black with a candle on the mantle piece. We had a gas cooker so could at least boil water and have a hot drink.

We have some LED camping lanterns from Amazon, bought at the beginning of lockdown in case of electric outages. Super bright one lights up the room.

Not heating or cooking (if you have gas), just electric.

Suggest some large bottles of water too, as it can be reliant on pumping. The water companies do provide water but long queues and takes a while

I remember them in the 70s.
We huddled close to a paraffin heater.

Be prepared and get lots of candles.

Time scales for periods of no electricity, not sure about gas. Candles and torches at the ready . not the blackout like in the war, when we had to have dark or black thick fabric at all the windows, as the German bomber planes would see the lights in houses, and bomb your home to bits.