Anyone get a letter about power cuts?

[Theblackdogagain]

Our house is on the priority list for power cuts as I have a disabled son. We've just received a letter saying what out energy block is and what to do about planned power cuts.
It's not helped my anxiety, I'm already super worried about him getting ill due to ambulance and nurse strikes and now I fear I can't keep him safe. What good is a parent that can't guarantee her child's safety? Last year we had a couple of hospital trips and some scarey moments and I'm concerned what support there is if it happens again.

This would send me in a spin

I think it's probably just routine. The risk of power cuts is thought to be much lower now because the weather has been mild in the past few weeks and is likely to continue so gas stores are good. www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jan/03/european-gas-prices-warm-january-weather-uk-heating

I got one yesterday as we're on priority list too, the letter says its unlikely, but then why send the letter!

it’s probably more like they’re covering bases that they warned you what to do.
we are on priority list and got a letter before Xmas. I was busy and DH opened it, he said it’s nothing so I didn’t look but he’s much more calm then me so maybe it’s the same as yours.
I can understand, just a view of a letter re DD send my anxiety in a awful spin.

@Theblackdogagain
just asked DH and he said that we actually had a few letters from British Gas and a couple of txts over the last 6 months I think, he said they looked like regular reminders.

Are you sure this isn’t ‘what to do if there are power cuts’ rather than ‘these are the dates power cuts will occur’? There’s nothing in the press about actual power cuts and I would expect there to be if they were happening.

If it’s the former, this information has been out there for months - it’s nothing new and power cuts are, if anything, less likely with the milder weather than when they were first discussed.

It's the what to do letter, I guess I've been trying to avoid the potential power cuts but this has made it more real and made me feel even less like I can protect my son.

its probably an acknowledgement they know, if you didn't get a letter it may be more worrying because you might worry that you are not registered properly.

I've had a letter asking me to confirm thst I need to be on the priority list as there could be possible power cuts. I'm waiting to be told which block I'm on.

Its all ifs buts, maybes, possible rather than it will happen. Its making sure you have the relevant information.

Just to reassure you. I was around when we had the rolling blackouts during the winter of discontent in the seventies. It was annoying but we survived and life returned to normal eventually. Start thinking about what you can do (look in the preppers forum) to give you some control back.

It’s likely that the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly and these letters were set to be sent out when the risk was much higher and have only now just been sent out. All sources point to the risk of this occurring being very low but it’s better to have plans in place and not need them.

Surely it’s a good thing to have notice? If it raises worries you have time to communicate with the energy company and ask for help in working out a plan.

This will be based on the recent concerns of greater risk of cuts which have reduced, but there always remains a possibility.

Not only due to recent world events, but cuts could occur at anytime due to various reasons - ideally resolved quickly
There are also of course planned cuts when works are required, which you would be informed of anyway but are ‘easier’ in that you know what to prepare for.

The letter should cover a range of needs to consider, and some of these can be added to your records as a priority user.

Key points will be:

Essential equipment if applicable:
What cannot you do without, and therefore what fallbacks could there be?
(eg starlift, hospital type bed, medial equipment)

Heating:
Do you have a single or multiple methods of heating, and any standalone alternatives
(Plug in electric heaters if you are on gas heating, gas bottle heaters etc)

Lights:
Torches, lanterns etc - ideally battery powered etc)

Telephone:
Do you still have a classic landline which would work in a power cut?
(note that most are switching to cable phones and won’t work in a power cut)
Mobiles

Power backup:
Do you have power banks etc, and do you keep them topped Ip ?
(These will tide you over for a number of items)
Mini solar panel
(The ability to charge back up your power banks and equipment)

Invertor
An option to get 240volts from a battery or solar panel. This is a step along the way but will be limited to last as long as the power source (These can be good as a combination of a car/leisure battery, a top up solar panel and an invertor)

Generator & fuel
Pretty much the last option to get full 240v
As a priority household these may be provided on loan by your supplier if you have essential equipment (which is obviously easier for planned works)

Emergency services:
If there is a need then hospitals etc have arrangements for generators

Thank you everyone, time to revise our plan. I guess worst case scenario is the black out is ad night, so cooking and lighting is effected. We have a gas hob and matches so can light that, a real fire which can be lit. Just needed to check the torches and power banks.

The above list is an excellent start but I would also like to add something. Make sure you have some cash in the house for taxis and shops.

Winner there for what I missed out - Cooking is a bit of an important one

Remember that phones come with lights, and if you just need a little light to walk down the hall then your phones screen will be bright enough rather than additional power used to light up torch mode