To be really scared by this messaging from the government?

[sookiestjames77]

As someone who really struggled during the pandemic this has really scared me. I have done a big order of hygiene basics to arrive tomorrow (12 x packs of wet wipes etc) and will be heading out for a stock up shop tomorrow to fill up on tins etc.

I’m considering ordering 12 of those water refills for water coolers and a pump that fits in the top, but I don’t know if that’s overkill. I alone drink 4-5 litres of water a day, plus cooking water!

I am really scared. How is everyone else dealing with this?

“From severe weather to cyber attacks, emergencies can disrupt the services you rely on.”

Is this unclear?

There’s also this page (linked from the landing page) that explicitly lists the hazards and emergencies it is aimed at: https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/

No need to stockpile anything. Is three day’s basic food stockpiling? Or just half a weekly shop?

Isn't that a personal choice?

No wonder there's a drought

It is for anything that might disrupt supply lines:
Flooding
Road/Bridge collapse
Cyber attack
Cyber system failure
Wildfires

All of it.🙄

they're not specifying, because it’s not advice for a specific issue.

think of it like an insurance policy - covers you for flood, burglary, spilled paint, fire, car driving through your front window, saucepan dropped on your ceramic hob, diamond ring dropped down the toilet etc etc.

Why do they want us to buy sleeping bags?? Is it because they think we'll have to leave our homes??

What "wolf" are they crying?

Shit occasionally happens, be prepared for it if you can doesn't quite meet the definition....

Meh - my ex has a private water supply (bore hole) and solar/ battery back-up, and we are amicable enough to not fuck each other over for basic needs of living, so would just pop up there for water supply, showers etc.

Other than that - food, they say 3 days, so first few days would be all things from freezer that can be eaten raw plus all meat cooked on bbq or camping stove, and then after that all things from cupboards that could be eaten uncooked, we wouldn't starve, it would likely last longer than 3 days - might be some interesting and unorthodox meals though.

who says and why? are you also aware that any watery food counts? so fruit, salad veg thin yoghurt, milk, icecream....

The latest "official" watery intake advice is, unless advised otherwise by your health professional, drink when you are thirsty and, if you feel you need to, keep an eye on your pee.

I’m going to get some long handled lighters and lighter fluid as I have a gas hob, so at least I’ll be able to cook!

NHS says 2 litres minimum. If you’re thirsty you’re already dehydrated.

what? where does it say we should all buy sleeping bags?

I have no idea! This is what’s confusing me. If it’s because of weather why do we need to prepare to leave?!

They want us to have the things we will need to stay well, comfortable and healthy if something should happen to disruption services we depend on for that. Power cuts, floods, IT outages, wild fires, that sort of thing.
Try not to worry. I remember being terrified back in the 80s when we got the surviving a nuclear attack leaflet. (Which makes this look like the gentle promptings of a parent to take enough spare socks to a festival.) And yet here I am, having never, thankfully, had to white wash my windows or store a dead body for 5 days.

How is this so hard for you to understand? They don't know. Nobody does.

It could be a severe weather event.

It could be a cyber-attack.

It could be military action disrupting supply chains.

A tin of ham and a torch remain a tin of ham and a torch regardless of the reason you need them.

I get that you're anxious, but you're preparing for uncertainty here, no-one really knows what might happen so it's about being sensibly resilient should the worst happen.

🙄 because I drink a normal amount of water a day?

“They” don’t WANT you to buy a sleeping bag. “They” recommend that sleeping bag might be something you want to have to hand in case, for example, flooding or a storm means you need to evacuate your house and sleep elsewhere. If you don’t have one, you will still be fine, as there are some provisions made for people in these situations, but if you have a sleeping bag, you are one less person who has to be provided for, and they can concentrate efforts on more vulnerable people.

Wild fires and floods.

It's under "light and warmth" on the checklist alongside blankets and warm clothing.

That seems sensible - have a plan for if it's extremely cold and the heating is out. Sleeping bags are quite a good insulating layer.

Some people live in areas that could flood, you know if that is a risk where you are or not.

If people are fleeing there homes it will be to where I live not the other way round. So I think this one is very dependent on where you are. I live on a hillside in North Wales, not going to get flooded, not going to be a terrorist/ wartime target.

👏🏻 this. Same!! People are easily controlled when they’re in fear. Just ignore. I don’t watch the news, I don’t see any of this shite. Life’s better!

Some people just love the drama.🙄

There will probably be nothing, all they are suggesting is make sure you're not too low on basics at any time so in the event of a power cut, as in Cornwall after the storm (or any other problem) you are OK for a few days. My cupboards, fridge and freezer are generally pretty well stocked any way and we have a few torches lying about, so I'm not really doing anything different. This has really been general advice for years particularly going into the winter with storms, the possibility of consequential damage to infrastructure, power cables, etc. It's really nothing new just getting more publicity this year.

We survived the 70s, 3 day week, miners strike, steel workers strike, fuel strictly rationed queuing for hours to put in a couple of gallons, frequent power cuts, etc, I don't expect this winter will be any worse than that.