UK to warn citizens to stock up on food

[TheNoonBell]

As there is already a thread on chat I thought I would link it here as it will drop off the other board.

Original thread: www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5570978-hm-gov-telling-us-to-get-tinned-food-and-bottled-water

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/25/uk-to-warn-citizens-to-stock-up-on-food-amid-threat-from-climate-crisis-and-hostile-states

Time to get in the winter supplies now before the candles and lanterns sell out. Very impressed with the new USBC Blukar battery lanterns after testing them this summer: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blukar-Camping-Rechargeable-Lantern-Essentials/dp/B0GVNKNM6C

If you don’t have a lantern, a large (2 or 5 litre bottle) of water and a headtorch can work well - put the headtorch around the bottle but put the light shining through the water, so facing into the bottle - it is a surprisingly bright and nice glow of light, especially if it’s the milk-carton type plastic (not clear but milky and somewhat see-through).

I don't think anyone has really, but also probably we'd all drop our standards a lot and not wash as often in this type of emergency. That's why the lists have hand sanitiser in too.

These aren't solar but they are quite long life (all night) and you can recharge them from a camping battery or power block.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GVNKNM6C

Gas stove but be careful using it indoors, make sure you have good ventilation. We use ours for Korean BBQ with a grill top.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Top-Home-Solutions%C2%AE-Camping-Stove/dp/B0D94KVF21

I have this stove which is suitable for indoor use with a normal amount of ventilation. They're used in several countries as table cookers/food warmers, on a regular basis.
Stove

We have the lanterns recommended by TheNoonBell above and they're great, very bright and long lasting.

It’s funny just how different and matter of fact the discussion is on this thread….and the other threads on AIBU are so hysterical about the thoughts of having a few extra things in cupboards, like the end of the world is coming.

At least it is being discussed in AIBU, it may make some think about what they have and how reliant they are on just-in-time deliveries. How reliant they are on flipping a switch, turning on a tap, fuel for a car.

We're just ahead of the curve here, our calm approach will be needed into next year as there's more ramping up of this kind of conversation, with people needing advice and encouragement as to how to prepare. We're well placed to do that as we've all made mistakes with prepping and that'll be useful going forward!

I live in a flat and don't have loads of room to store things like water. Does anyone have an idea how much notice we'd get that the water will go off if it happens? I'm keeping any empty bottles that I can fill up at that point. I don't even have a bath that I could fill!

Following.

For water i buy those boxes from ocado, cheap and a real space saving format. It has a little tap at the bottom to draw water. Perhaps you can have one or two around your flat?

Flat here too, at the moment I've got about 3 litres in the fridge, but thinking I might have a rearrange to fit in a couple of 2 litre bottles in the under the sink cupboard.

I've got baby wipes and dry shampoo for hygiene, so I'll be satisfied with having 6 litres of water, plus extra in the car.

If a water company is turning water off to do repairs you usually get maybe ten mins of notice but if you are at work that wont work. Usually water is back on again within a few hours and if not they will sometimes bring bottled water if it is off for a long time.

I'm prepping even though I really didn't want to. I'm so tired of the constant drama. Brexit, Covid and now this winter which is looking like it is going to be pretty bad. Power cuts seem to be inevitable and I have just bought my first battery operated kettle. It's rechargeable so if I know the power cut is coming I will charge it up beforehand. If there is constant power cuts I will just try and keep it charged up all the time. I have a gas hob so technically could heat water there but I'm nervous about lighting hobs using matches. I have bought safety matches but I'd rather not go down that route if I don't have to. Quite happy to eat oily fish on oatcakes (the ones in spicy tomato sauce are ace anyway) or cereal with long life milk during power cuts I can't live without my cups of tea. Not to mention the fact that the heating will be off if the power is off and thus it is likely to be cold bbbbrrrrrrrrr.

Spent £700 in Tesco this week - toilet rolls, water (they were out of stock for the one I ordered so substituted it - are the shortages starting?). Tried to buy tinned things I like anyway but have bought some things that only an emergency situation would make me eat. Tinned spam anyone. In fairness it's not actually that bad but it is expensive jeez.

With the oil crisis deepening in the last few days and thus likely disruptions to food deliveries I figure the food prices are only going up anyway. Not to mention inflation of course (bond market doing scary things).

Anyway my house is a complete mess with stuff everywhere but I guess that is a small price to pay for not having to go to shops during disruption. I also try to stock up on expensive items when they are on offer anyway just to try and save money - toilet rolls and big boxes of persil aren't going to go off (in the short term anyway).

And dear god - water, so much water. I was thinking just how much you actually would need if it was not working for some reason. Washing self, washing clothes, washing dishes, drinking, water for pets. I've bought what feels like a ton of it but in all honestly it will probably only last a week with careful use.

So I have my battery lamps, torches, radio, powerbank, food supplies inc pet food. I'll probably fill up the car tank and take out some cash and then I am going back to pretending it's all going to be just another winter.

Even managed to buy a mini first aid kit - just some antiseptic cream, sterile bandages, painkillers etc for emergencies. Probably won't need them but hell will have to freeze over before I go to A&E during a winter of disruptions. Can't get a GP appt even in normal circumstances so I'm thinking the chances of that will be about minus 100 percent.

Happy prepping everyone.

I’m also in a flat. I have a 5l bottle of water under the en suite sink. I also have a couple of 2l bottles in my coat closet (on the floor under the coats), along with having just restocked to 16 bottles (1.5l) of sparkling water. I am on 11the floor and our lifts have broken for up to 2 weeks at a time so I try to keep at least 6 bottles of sparkling for drinking at all times (plain, with lemon, or with cordial).

Could you provide a link for the kettle please?

Years ago when our water was turned off (for two weeks), it was word of mouth - not everyone is constantly checking internet/their phone. My Mum had her a rumour at work and phoned us. Water had already been turned off, but luckily still water in the main pipes. It ran out about three hours later. I just happened to go shopping in the afternoon, not even thinking of water, the supermarket had literally been stripped bear of anything that couldbe drunk/tinned veg that could be cooked in can juices. If it's down to an emergency local leak, then could be almost immediately.

Also, you could be asleep when it goes off, and only find out in the morning.

@ASpoonfullOfPuppies instead of using matches I've got a couple of long reach clicky lighter things (not small lighters, more like a slim gun shape). Only cost a couple of pounds and feel safer than matches.

Here is the link for the kettle. They are getting low in stock it seems plus the price has gone up in the last few days by three quid.

Electric Travel Kettle,Portable Battery Powered Kettle with 27000mAhBattery | USB-C Charging, 45℃-100℃ Fast Boiling One Cup Kettle with 6 Temperature Settings for Camping, Holiday, Office & Travel : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Thank you. I have bought a pack of 3 from amazon plus refill gas.
Good tip. Much appreciated.

If it's a prolonged power outage then the water can go off at any point from 6 to 36 hours so it's impossible to say for sure. I'd say as soon as power goes off start filling your bath or containers.

This all beginning to really worry me.

that kettle is very expensive

It's not compared to the Makita one

Don't let it worry you. It's supposed to make you feel better and ready if anything. I'm enjoying checking my camps and torches. But im a bit sad. I'm still only thinking about power cuts and storms. I won't let my mind wonder too far.

Some of bits I'd like to have are too expensive to justify. If I get desperate for a cup of tea I think I'd fire up thr bbq.

I'm looking at getting a new power bank. Some of the USB lamps I have bought are amazingly good. Link up thread and also got much cheaper two pack for £14 as well.

I was saying to dh we really need to check these things once a year and not let them wonder off into different rooms and get lost. Feel like im starting again right now