Your ‘emergency supplies/stockpile’.

[ohyouagainclarence]

Has anyone else started stashing a few things away in the event of some kind of ‘national emergency’ and if so, what sort of things are you storing?

I’m certainly not going to turn into a prepper but as I have plenty of storage space, I’ve got two big plastic boxes filled with dried goods (rice/pasta etc) and then some tinned stuff. I’ve also stocked up on batteries, candles and matches and I bought a solar charger. And oh, got two 5 litre bottles of water.

The temptation to go a bit nuts and plan for Armageddon is high! 😂😂 But I’m being sensible and just having enough for the basics to keep us going for about a week. I’m also cycling through the food so it doesn’t get wasted - use a tin of beans and then replace it etc.

Camping stoves are forbidden by my HA, for obvious reasons. I've got one anyway and will (if I have to) use it next to an open window. I'll try not to set the flat on fire, or they'll find out when the gas cans blow up!

Having grown up in a tower block, I totally agree with this and it was something I've been talking to DH about as he's always lived in homes with gardens. I remember my Mum telling me about the summer I was 2 which I obviously don't remember when all water had to be got from standpipes which was no joke in a block where not only were the lifts always breaking down but she said we were also having frequent power cuts. We were 13 floors up. In the end water was brought up in some kind of containers for each landing when the lifts were available but apparently it was horrendous. Add to that for what we are all discussing, concerns about food supplies etc... those in flats need some specific guidance or information about where they will be able to access amenities. This is another good argument for those who can prepare more, do so, so that services can focus in those who need more support

If you are worried about heating loss - Buy a tent that is small enough to be put up indoors. Everyone sleeps in there. It’ll stay remarkably warm.

For toilets and sewage, someone posted this link last week I think https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-health-advice-from-uk-cmos-during-a-national-power-outage/water-and-sanitation-scripts-for-broadcast-media

Supposedly this what we'll be told over the radio in the rare situation of a complete national power cut (so not just an ordinary power cut, or water issues just in one small area). I guess a situation where they think we won't be able to just go and get water handed out by the council or just use toilets somewhere outside the home.

I bought some of this toilet gel when the pipes at my old house kept getting blocked (someone was chucking baby wipes down the loo, according to the official). It makes the used bin bag less unpleasant to deal with!

Using a bin bag in a bucket for a toilet was weird, but manageable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BPTHNKWM

Well that's most interesting! I might get some. Even though gel is heavy, dumping a lot of wee is also problematic, so... yeah! 😅

I have a few tins eg beans, fruit, corned beef, bottles of water and extra dog food. Plus candles matches batteries and a power bank and some extra meds for my heart condition.
(I keep a “hospital bag” too with pyjamas, basic toiletries, money for a taxi and a book)
I don’t have storage space to be a serious prepper

WTAF Corned beef, £4.10 a tin in Tesco! I suddenly feel a bit better knowing that if there is a global banking collapse, I’ve got the GDP of a small country in corned beef in my cupboard (3 tins).

DH and I have been discussing how loss of heating would affect us (he has serious health conditions) so we're looking into possibly one of these.

Yes I ran my family info through AI and asked what I needed to prepare and store in the event of a cyber attack. It provided an excellent shopping list. Very thorough how much cat litter, guinea pig food, 100 l of water etc.

This is really useful thank you !
Hopefully it will never happen but it's nice to be mentally pre prepared isn't it !
I guess one would hang plastic bags in the loo to catch waste.
Interesting about the bowl of water as well for hand washing but I don't think I could drink bleach or filter water like that.

Surely a water filter jug and tablets would do ?

So you would decant a small bit of this into the utensil your using ??
And it' makes both types of waste more manageable ?

For us it would be hot water bottles and the camping stove .

We also brought some very reasonable thermal curtains a few years ago when the Ukraine war started and people were feeding their children salad on a winters day in the dark with head torches on etc..
They were from Argos and also proved very useful this summer with shielding the outside windows from sun
Using the white inside part outwards outside.
We have electic blankets but I'm not sure they would work on a power bank?
So for heat it would be hot water bottles. It doesnt help with the cold air side of things but two bottles per person with feet and upper body warm should help a great deal.

Can you use a camping stove indoors?

Interesting to see things have changed. When we lost our water supply for two weeks in 2007, we were told not to put faeces in the bin even in sealed bags. If we can now do so, that makes it a lot easier to keep toilets clear.

We lost our water in 2007 due to flooding of the local water treatment centre. On top of that flood water were rising at a major power station and it was touch and go whether we lost our power in much of Gloucestershire. On top of that, where were still flood waters and damage to contend with. Luckily we kept our power, but there were rumours we might have to be evacuated - but to where? We'd made the decision we would stay as long as possible to stay with our pets, but also in the hope it'd keep our property safe from looters if we were there. Our supermarket had to closed to allow staff to hopefully get home safe and back half was flooded so not save.

Luckily we had a full water butt. I happened to be in Tescos when they announced they were closing, as my friend couldn't get home with her small baby so I'd waded out for baby milk/food, so I literally flew around topping up on essentials. I was lucky in that I could do that.

No, camping stoves need to be in a well ventilated area due to emissions. So outside ideally in a sheltered area as flames might go out if windy. If you've got a garage or larger shed where you can create lots of room and ventilation, that would work.

We can yes or even outdoors or in kitchen with doors open etc

Thank you!

That’s good to know.

Oh ok.

The garden them.

This is a great plan, useful for other things too, there's one half that price on Amazon, so I've added it to my list. I'll need to include some extra gas bottles too I guess.

We lost everything for 4 days and it didn't bother us at all. We too are rural. We grow, rear, fish and swap food. I have enough in my stores to see us through until the end of winter. Medication wise we have 2 months spare at any one time. I really don't understand how some people don't have enough in their store for 3 days though, do folk shop every single day ?
Unfortunately i think a few people are in for some tough times.

Agree but remember although it took longer to get stuff with queues and so on actually there was plentiful supplies of everything. I think the problems would /could occur when that's not the case.

But there have been so many amazing ideas here I have a small list now of a few extras i can buy that makes me feel more secure.
And we have battery torches but scattered so I need to firstly get them all in one place then make sure each room has one.
I had forgotten about sleeping bags / I think we have two !

Also if anyone here and I'm sure there isn't hasn't used thermals don't underestimate their power.

Thermal socks and vests etc are not to expensive and work very well.

Yes agreed @IntrinsicallyNavellGazing I'm not doubting that it could be very difficult. It was more of a let's get prepared and wait and see kind of comment. I have my trusty bike. It's only recently back in service but I'm aiming to be fit enough to use it for journeys should it be necessary. Also have thermals and some camping equipment here which could be handy.

Thank you for the link @CatnipLeaves!

Surely a water filter jug and tablets would do ?

No, it's too risky as regular water filter jugs don't filter out harmful bacteria or viruses. Adding purification tablets to water helps of course but even those won't kill protozoa. You'd still need to boil your water (bring to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute) to do that.

We have done safely in previous power cuts, observing strict safety including a checked and functioning battery powered carbon monoxide detector, used in a very well ventilated area and near no flammable items. Also to check the flame is always burning correctly and only to use small pans or gas kettle. Larger pans can increase risk.