The downsides of stockpiling

[CurdinHenry]

Batteries are huge fire hazards, particularly as they age
Ditto those mini gas camp fires
Plastic leaches from bottles into water
Food attracts vermin especially if you live somewhere prone

Surely there should be advice on this element of the whole thing

I think this is why the guidance is needed. People have been so used to being able to get whatever they want 24/7 that people don't always hold stocks of staples anymore.

I agree, it basically means don't let your cupboards run completely bare before you shop.

me too. Recently I had a jaw problem where I had to take strong painkillers which made me very sleepy and could only eat soft food. My stash of soup was invaluable.

I’ve been working on the assumption that the power could go out if there was a cyber attack or weather. So I’m thinking we’d not be able to cook anything. I’m planning to buy a few tins of tuna, ham, fruit and rice pudding etc, some crackers, uht milk, cereal and so on.

I probably have more than 3 days supply anyway without having to get stuff in. I did buy a few bottles of water which isn't something we normally use.
It's a good point about having no power to cook though but I do have tins of fruit/beans etc.

I'd add a camping cooker if you can. Hot food and drink can help keep the family warm if you lose the heating.

I dread to think of the spike in house fires as the number of naked flames goes up ....

But they'll only be used in an emergency situation?

what like using a gas stove?????

and folk will be conserving the gas not wasting it as it would not be easy to get refills/replacements. After Arwen it was impossible to buy camping stove gas as supplies ran out quickly. Many more folk have solar and batteries these days and some will have the ability to use those batteries in an emergency.

Less so than candles, possibly.

But unless you have been camping and seen people putting their camping stoves on deckchairs (to save bending down) you won't have the same faith in common sense as I have. Oh - and the guy using a camping gas canister as a hammer ....

Whatever the number of naked flames on average in the UK at the moment, I can guarantee that any increase in that number, and you will have an increase in house fires. Which probably isn't great if the water supply is fucked.

I have camped and seen idiots in other situations too but I reckon most people have enough common sense to use a camping stove safely

Maybe I’m ’showing my privilege’ but I’m surprised at how many people seem not to have 3 days of food in given most people do a weekly food shop and will have some tins, bread, cereal, etc in at all times?

I reckon we could survive a month on the tinned pulses and tomatoes and freezer stuff we have.

I think a lot depends on whether people are prepared and able to cook or not.

And you'd bet your life on that ?

Braver than me.

oops that should have gone in whatsapp

why would it be my life?

My mum hoarded food and would get like 20 bags of flour etc. by the time she got to using it it was full of flour mites. Everything she had in her spare hoarder room was out of date. When she died my stepdad threw out countless bin bags of food

This stockpiling conversation has really highlighted how many people are absolutely incompetent at 'adulting'.

I don't think this is anything to do with elderly people who do a daily foodshop. Elderly people aren't stupid. It's all those people who buy their microwave M&S dinners on the way home from work, or rely on Uber Eats twice a day who don't have stuff in. I live in the countryside - we always have stuff in as we don't have M&S Foodhalls or takeaways at the end of every street.

yup, this.