Prepping for brexit

[Numberonecook]

Ive just started getting some bits together ready for brexit. As a food scientist I am very aware of how much produce comes into the country and the resources needed to get things around the country. Im also aware of the chain and how everything is ‘just in time’ And a delay in the chain could lead to serious shortages and price rises.

This really worries me as there is 5 of us to feed. So, what non food essentials do you think I should also consider? We are not prepping for huge disaster just 6 months or so. I’ve got things like toiletries, loo roll etc. Anything else?

Back ups for utilities and financial services disruption.

Sounds like you are in a strong position, good work! My priorities this week are:

I am currently making sure I have the next sizes up in clothes for my two DC, and that me and DH are stocked up on essentials like socks, underwear, decent shoes.

We’re also looking at seeds and fruit plants for next year as I grow a fair amount of food.

Medicines/first aid supplies. Just need to get a couple of bottles of Piriton, Tyrocets etc. And getting us all booked in for flu jabs/nasal spray for the DC.

Watching with interest.

Just stumbled across this thread. I may sound a little naive but should I be expecting a big change after Brexit? So much so I need to stock pile? If this is the case, what should I be loading up on? Family of 5 youngest being 11m currently. Thanks

Hi you may find this thread helpful.

What isn’t produced in Britain that we need to stockpile?
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/preppers/3269121-What-isn-t-produced-in-Britain-that-we-need-to-stockpile

Yes I’ve stocked up medicines (allergy, calpol, paracetamol etc) as well as plasters bandages etc etc. Never even thought about next size up clothes! Thank you. I’ve started to collect candles, crochet extra blankets etc just incase of power cuts or huge price hikes.

The lady who was asking about changes after brexit. I’m very concerned that we rely on a large percentage of food coming in from Europe that we don’t currently grow or produce here. Even food we do produce often has ingredients from overseas. In the event of a no deal prices could sharply rise or take so long for goods to be cleared they are no longer edible.

Not Just foods from overseas, a large rise in fuel prices or a drop in Availability could lead to food, medicines and supplies not getting around the country.

Financial collapse is also possible with little or no access to money. It possibly wouldn’t all happen at once but I wouldn’t like to take the risk of no food, clean water, medicines etc for my family.

We are in a great position as we own our home with no mortgage but those with mortgages face possible crippling interest rates etc.

Of course I hope it’s all great after brexit and we just have a lovely pile of food to eat. But I’d rather be prepared :)

@Numberonecook that is a fantastic position to be in, I wish we were anywhere close to mortgage-free!

I have a similar attitude-I hope everything is going to be fine. I will be thrilled if people who think everything will turn out just fine are correct. But if there are supply chain problems and shortages, I don’t want to scrabble around trying to cope, if possible; I want my children to thrive. And for me that’s what it’s all about.

I'm a prepper that has stumbled across this thread.
My personal view is that, longer term, things will be more expensive. Any thing you care to mention.
Obviously the prepper thing to do is have a good supply of shelf stable food in and think about heat, light, water, entertainment, hygiene etc.
But if that's not your thing or you can't afford it, focus on something simple like shoes for growing feet if that's an issue for your family. Either buy now or put some money aside for it.

I've tried to talk to my family about this and they are firmly in the "why has there been nothing in the news" and "we will all just carry on as normal" and "we won't starve".

It's frustrating as I need their support because I have compiled a list of basics to keep us going for about 3 months but I would need to store it somewhere.

I figure any disruption longer than three months will mean there's more to worry about than having enough jars of olives in the cupboard.

I'm also working on the presumption that utilities will be supported as if the power fails for more than 24 hours, we're up shit creek anyway.

@beenandgoneandbackagain - when you say "your family " do you mean the people in your house or your close relatives nearby?
Focus on your household but naturally, as I do, have an eye on close family that you care about, particularly anyone infirm. You don't need to prep for them but factor in the possibility that they might need your help. Even if it is only a day or two.

I have a fairly decent stock of food - enough to last us about 4 months at the moment. I will keep adding to this over the next couple of months.

I'm not so good on other things. Its difficult to get the balance between sensible planning and crazy loo roll and baked beans lady.

I am very concerned and think anyone who isn't is naive and foolish. It might all be fine. If so then great, we will use up our stockpile. There is however an ever increasing chance that it won't be fine at all and prices will rocket.

We are also mortgage free thank goodness. And this weekend I'm getting all of my winter crops in. Every little helps.

Thanks bellini I mean people in my household which includes two elderly relatives who are firmly fingers in ears, despite being Remainers and thinking the Government are a shit-show, they refuse to believe that anything really bad could happen. I need their support as 3 months of food needs storing somewhere.

@beenandgoneandbackagain - I'd suggest don't engage on it with them for know. To be honest, I'd also look at shoving stuff on top of or in your wardrobe or under your bed. Nearer the time, maybe the conversation can be reactivated.
If you have kids, focus on what is best for them.

We'll be withdrawing all our cash from accounts.
I'm stockpiling needles, testing strips and insulin (I'm type 1 diabetic) as I will die without these and all are produced abroad.
Stocking toiletries, San pro and washing powder
Stocking tinned goods
Stocking coal and wood for the fire
Got camping equipment and camping fridge
Praying it doesn't happen

Don't forget weapons! All very well making sure you have food, but the hungry, Brexit hoardes will be battering down your door and taking all your stuff!
They will be able to spot anyone who isn't showing signs of missing a good French Brie and not enjoying their mashed sweede with road kill!

Thanks for the reminder re flu jabs.

Things I need to make sure we are up to date with (apart from food/water stores):

-eye check ups
-dental check ups
-haircuts
-food bank donations (this needs upping)
-putting emergency/insurance/phone numbers on password protected usb stick
-first aid kit for the car
-get gutters cleaned
-finish some minor house repairs
-san pro stock up
-stock up on my European skincare
-more canisters for the camping stove
-merino wool thermal underwear (so warm and March last year was bitterly cold)
-annual sock sort out (DH will wear holey socks forever given the chance)
-make sure everyone has well fitting warm coats, hats and water resistant boots (esp my DD who thinks coats are for wimps)
-more cash stashed in house
-trip to gp for contraception
-flu jabs!
-cancelled work trips around March, will resume once it’s settled
-closer to brexit day, I’ll stock the fridge and freezer with our usual food

None of what we’ll do will be wasted, we’re just making sure it’s done before March. Much of it is normal winter prep.

Very lucky we don’t use regular meds we can’t do without, if we did I would definitely stock those. I want to be able to keep my family indoors if there’s any unrest. If all’s well, then we will just use up our stores and get on with life in the sunny uplands.

I’ll use this thread as a checklist

Ah, the comedy geniuses have joined the thread.
Always good for a laugh.

For those nervous of hungry knobheads, take some time to think about keeping your preps quiet in real life. And even joining the odd queue at the supermarket or wherever if it is safe to do so.
Should the need arise.

I have been on a few of the Brexit prep threads under a different user name but I’m a frequent name changer. We have a stash of around 6-8 months (I’m going to organise it further in a few weeks) worth of non-perishable food.

I have a new baby so I’ve been stocking up on

• Clothes the next size up but thankfully we have lots of hand me downs
• Nappies (we use majority cloth nappies but it is useful to have a small stock)
• Wipes (same as above)
• Jarred baby food (we haven’t used much of this in past with our other DC but I think it will be handy as she will be weaning around Brexit time)
• Breastfeeding is working well so far but she is only days old so I don’t know if formula will be an issue. This is a decision I will have to make further down the line.

Clothes etc.

• Coats for all of us, plus next sizes up for the DC where hand me downs aren’t available.
• New underwear + a size up for everyone has been slowly stashed over the past year.
• I have had my good boots resoled (they have lasted me ten years with a new sole every 2 years)
• We bought all new wellies and waterproofs for camping this summer so they will be useful.
• I am knitting new gloves, hats and scarves
• We will get new shoes for all the DC in January

Beauty and hygiene etc.

• Box hair dye (I’m 35 and I’m almost totally grey and I don’t want to be! I would find it very hard not to colour my hair)
• Hairdressing scissors (I have always trimmed my fringe between haircuts because my hair grows like weeds but I’m willing to give some more regular at home hairdressing a go)
• DH has bought beard and hair clippers to save on barber trips.
• I have stashed some La Roche Posay products (their zinc spray in particular) along with 18 months of my regular make up products. It all lasts fine if unopened.
• I have about 6 months worth of soap, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, floss, toothbrushes, deodorant etc. for the entire family. Someone gave me a book on soap making a few years ago which I haven’t had time to sit down with properly, I might give it a go now I’m on mat leave.
• DH has changed his contact lens delivery from quarterly to monthly after his last check up.
• We have all been to the dentist and have appointments with the hygienist set for February.
• I use a mooncup but DD is coming to an age where her periods could start at anytime so I have created a little stash of Sanpro for her.

House upkeep

• We have had our chimneys swept
• We have stashed wood, kindling and coal
• We have exchanged the gas bottle in our campervan which we can cook with
• Over the summer we had any loose roof tiles sorted, gutters cleared and repaired
• We rarely use our landline but have dug out our old corded landline phone and plugged it in.
• I plan to defrost the freezers and give them a good sort through and reorganise in October.
• DH has been on a plumbing course
• I have lined all of the downstairs winter curtains with fleece and will start on the upstairs in the next few weeks
• We have stashed away candles, matches and lighters.
• Changed fire alarm batteries
• Stocked up batteries for the fire alarm, thermostat and other items which have unusual sized batteries
• Stocked up on lightbulbs
• Booked a boiler service
• We had a House of Fraser voucher so I bought a new mattress topper, pillows and duvet before they went under.

Medical

• We will all have our flu jabs
• We have stashed OTC drugs and lots of first aid provisions
• DH and I are both HCPs so are all set but we have sent our eldest two DC on basic first aid training courses through their schools
• We have stocked prescription medicines where possible. This is not always possible or sensible. Talk to your GP if you are worried.

This is what's on my prep shopping list, just long life food items. I'll add a few extra packs to the weekly shop.

Cleaning products
Washing powder
Loo rools
Kitchen rolls
Basic meds (neurofen, paracetamol, savlon etc)
First aid kit
Candles
Torches
Batteries
UHT milk
Tea bags
Coffee
pasta
Pasta sauce
Tinned Tomatoes
Tuna
Part baked rolls
Rice
Tinned veg
Baked beans
Corned beef
Bottled water
Squash
Cereal bars
Porridge oats

Congratulations on the new baby @GulagMilkMonitor! No babies here but I am going to buy a few boxes of formula nearer the time as I have a few friends who will have small babies then, and it’ll make a good food bank donation if they don’t need it. Still furious we are having to think about this.

13luckyblackcatS

Thank you!

Stock up on 1/5 size bottles of spirits and tobacco, event if you don’t drink or smoke. You can use it to trade if the currency bombs.

Agree that you must be prepared to defend your stash.