Panic-buying for No-Deal Brexit?

[LiviFri]

Is anyone else doing this? I have begun bulk-buying dry goods and general supplies. While I recognise that I am panic-buying, the past weeks have frightened the hell out of me. I did consider starting this thread under money and/or mental health.

The possibility of no-deal is rising by the day and my heart goes out to the Mumsnetter who started the insulin thread here. I rely on various medicines too and my GP is already being extremely judicious (to put it politely) with dispensing medicines. So stocking on meds looks to be quite difficult.

The deceit and irresponsibility of all our politicians is terrifying, the no-deal concept is being drip-fed to us as if it were totally normal. And it makes me so incredibly angry.

I know that "No deal won't be allowed to happen" has been floating around. But it feels like we're sleepwalking into a disaster. To the point where it's hard to believe any governmental statement, given how mad and criminally irresponsible the situation is. I mean, who would trust a "public service announcement" coming from this government (or indeed the opposition)? Or any government trying to carry out Brexit, given that it's essentially a self inflicted disaster?

[HirplesWithHaggis]

I wouldn't rely too heavily on frozen food, there may be prolonged power cuts.

[bellinisurge]

As a prepper, popping on to direct people over to the Prepper topic for non-panicky budget friendly advice.

I personally don't see power cuts as a likely outcome of No Deal unless you are in NI where the power grid is slightly different .

Obviously it is up to individuals to make their own decisions about their situation but I would rather people didn't get overwhelmed by the fear of power cuts to stop them from doing anything at all.

[1tisILeClerc]

Power cuts in this scenario are a political issue rather than technical so will ultimately be resolved by money. The EU is trying very hard not to penalise the citizens of the UK so I very much doubt they would put pressure on to cut electricity supplies. Water is a bit more tricky if indeed some supplies of chemicals are need and there has been insufficient preparation, but this would be deprivation by accident not by design.

[bellinisurge]

Again @1tisILeClerc , I totally get where you are coming from and as a prepper, I think about this stuff not just for Brexit . But I don't want people to get bogged down in terrible scenarios such that they stick their head in the sand either for political reasons or because it all feels too much to compute.
We are quite a tightly packed country (as Leavers are fond of reminding us) which means that if something as unlikely but as terrible as water and power problems happens in any circumstances, lots of people would be affected and councils etc will do what they can to alleviate it.
No one can prepare for every possible scenario but I would encourage people to focus on likely problems like food distribution to supermarkets.
Just focus on having 3 days worth of supplies in the house to feed, clean and entertain you and your household. Including pets. Shelf stable stuff like tins is a good idea because it lasts longer. Learning some simple skills like making some bread avoids clogging up your freezer with loaves etc. Or always have a loaf in the freezer.
Focus on what you actually eat .
And do what works for you, your household and your budget.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

Glad to stand corrected on the electricity supply thing. May buy a chest freezer myself in that case. :) I just remember a three day power cut following blizzard conditions, we live rurally so were low priority for reconnection and my chest freezer thawed everything, bulk meat supplies... fortunately we had a solid fuel Rayburn stove so had hot water, cooking facilities and a warm kitchen and managed to cook most of it for refreezing when the power came back on, but it wasn't fun. And most folk (including me, these days) don't have solid fuel cookers any more.

[1tisILeClerc]

Talking of freezers. It is best to keep them full with as much 'stuff' as possible in case of a power outage for any reason. Having containers with just water in them to fill the space is better than 'air', as it will keep it colder for longer if power does go off. Of course if power does go off and you are not sure when it might come back on, don't open it unless you really have to.

[placemats]

My daughter has been seconded to work on a no deal Brexit. She's really happy about it as it means more money. Me?

[LiviFri]

Thanks all so, so much for the information and for the support

[Thethiniceofanewday]

I am also incredibly anxious-thanks for the advice on this thread. Don't need meds but am worried about water supplies having read the same thing that a PP mentioned.

[bellinisurge]

@Thethiniceofanewday - I'm the unlikely event there are water problems, the authorities will be across it.
Things you can do if you still want to do something about water? Next time you are at the supermarket, buy a couple of 2 litre bottles of cheapest still mineral water - about 20p each. And the next time a couple more.
It rains a lot here. Get a bucket. Collect water. Filter it through a T-shirt. Stick it in a pan and boil it for a couple of minutes.

[1tisILeClerc]

Thethiniceofanewday
Bellinisurge is doing great stuff on the preppers thread(s) with practical advice.
While I would really doubt a problem with water I would suggest that to put yourself at ease to get some bottled water in that is 'nice' to drink (can be supermarket cheap if that is an issue for you). You can also bottle some tap water yourself as it won't go 'off' for quite a while if kept in a cool dark place.

[Thethiniceofanewday]

i was looking at the sort of filter you get for wilderness camping. I will get a water butt for the garden, it will be useful whatever happens.

[1tisILeClerc]

It is pretty unrealistic to think your water would be off for more than a day or two maximum, something that might happen if there was a local pipe burst in 'normal' circumstances.
No one has declared war on the UK, this is all self inflicted by the Government.

[cloudtree]

I have a couple of 25 litre Jerry cans which I fill with water and keep in the garage. I replace them each summer (use the water on the vegetable garden). They’re not expensive to buy.

[SergeantPfeffer]

I’d be very wary about drinking water from a water butt- they are perfect environments for legionella bacteria, particularly in summer.

[cloudtree]

I agree though that the water companies will probably be ensuring sufficient supplies of the relevant processing chemicals to keep things going and so water is unlikely to be the biggest issue.

[bellinisurge]

Sawyer filter. Or Lifestraw. If you really want to spend the money. Or buy some purification tablets - cheap on amazon. I Don't expect Brexit to bring water problems.

[Redskyandrainbows67]

This was not inflicted by government as another pp said - it was inflicted by the people who voted leave!!

[Thethiniceofanewday]

I would purify water from the water butt, I'm anxious but not stupid!

cloudtree The issue as I read it was that the chemicals used in water purification plants are volatile so can't be stored. They could get caught up in customs chaos.

The water won't go off but it could be declared unsafe to drink.

[mybrainhurtsalot]

Redsky it was Theresa May who drew the red lines. She’s boxed us in, ruling out all the less destructive ways to leave. The ECJ ruling has opened the door nice and wide to give us a way out of this ridiculous box but the Prime Minister has turned her back and refuses to consider it.

[cloudtree]

The issue as I read it was that the chemicals used in water purification plants are volatile so can't be stored. They could get caught up in customs chaos

Ah ok. In that case water purification tablets would’ve sensible. You can buy them for a couple of pounds online

[cloudtree]

• would be

[abbsisspartacus]

The referendum was non binding and advisory the government chose this path they could have said we understand and will try to work with what we have before triggering article 50 but nope we got this shower of arguments and chaos

[LiviFri]

So have been to GP again and asked (again) about medication supply. It looks pretty bleak. GP basically said openly he has no clue what will happen over next months and that this situation and the impending chaos will undoubtedly create a black market for prescription drugs. You really have to laugh when a doctor recommends yoga and meditation to deal with the anxiety of not being able to access drugs for anxiety. I know he meant well and there isn't much he can do. And he's even an open Remainer. So am doing best to prepare in terms of household stuff but they are playing with people's health and lives. And they can legally revoke Article 50 so it's completely possible to just call the whole thing off. And yet neither main party has the guts or the integrity to do so. Unforgivable.

[Dragongirl10]

How does the EU control our electric?? or water supply?