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Original poster

Your ‘emergency supplies/stockpile’.

703 replies

ohyouagainclarence · 21/09/2026 07:50

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.

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sashh · 06/10/2026 05:37

@ohyouagainclarence

How active are your dad and his wife?

Believe it or not a tent (in the house) can keep you quite cosy but obviously not ideal if they are not mobile.

TheNoonBell · 06/10/2026 08:44

ohyouagainclarence · 04/10/2026 17:18

My biggest concern so far has been my elderly dad and his wife who live 40 miles from me. I oversee their care and am with them once a week to do their general household jobs, groceries, meds etc. I told them today that while I’m (optimistically) not expecting a big drama, if ever there was a prolonged power or internet outage and they couldn’t get hold of me, we’d load up the car and go to them. They rely on me for everything and we’re on the phone 3 or 4 times every day so if they couldn’t reach me, it would be very difficult for them.

And so with that in mind, I stocked up a bit more to account for them too and I’ve decided to keep my petrol tank full instead of driving round as I usually do on a yellow light (too lazy to go to the petrol station usually).

I have put them on the Priority Services Register and bought them some extra tins too. Biggest problem for them (if the power went out) would be keeping them warm. They both have chronic illness and need the heat. My dad assures me they’d just go to bed and pile on a bunch of duvets. Both of them have been in hospital recently which has meant their regular medication at home hasn’t been used…I’ve stacked that up in a cupboard so we have some spare if we need it.

I think I’ve realised that ‘prepping’ can become a bit of a cult or an anxiety loop so I’m now stopping. I have all we need for a couple of weeks and a plan too, should things go a bit nuts. I’m also mindful that for decades, the West has always lived under some kind of ‘doom is coming’ warning (anyone remember Y2K?) but at this point in history, to me it feels like there’s possible threats from lots of different sources - economy, weather, terrorism etc.

ANYWAY, I’m closing the door on the ‘stockpile cupboard’ and refuse to add anything more. I will trust that everything will be ok.

You could get them a heated body warmer. They use USB power banks for power. Got one for my elderly Dad and he loves it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=heated+jacket

Amazon.co.uk: Heated Jacket

Find heated vests and gilets for outdoor enthusiasts. Multiple brands offering various heating zones and temperature settings available.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=heated%20jacket&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum--chat-5580715-your-emergency-suppliesstockpile

suki1964 · 11/10/2026 02:13

@ohyouagainclarence

Have you told the utilities that your parents are vulnerable?

At the moment where I am they are upgrading the power lines, we are having planned outages - 9 to 6 - thrice this week and a few more to come, but if there are vulnerable people they are suppling generators that will give enough to keep the heating and lights on . It's worth checking out. They do have a duty of care to the vulnerable . No one where I live is on the register as we can all still get out and about and most of us are going out for the day - even if it is just to sit in the library and have a lunch out .

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