The Government advice re emergency packs

But we are all fending for ourselves these days aren't we?

I don't see how ramping up fear is helping anybody at all.

As I keep saying, I am not frightened (never mind panicking).

I have house insurance, in case the place catches fire, or other unspecified problems crop up, and a first aid kit in case of accident. This is more of the same, as I see it. There are always those who don't look ahead, and end up starting JustGiving pleas and so on to compensate. Deliberately avoiding storing a few bottles of water etc is the same way of thinking - 'it probably won't happen, and someone will sort me out if it does'

People are not digging bunkers or converting their garages to warehouses - it's a box in a spare bedroom with things that will help to get us through a few days without power or access to the things we are used to having on hand (eg shops). Nothing to do with a zombie apocalypse or a nuclear winter, but knowing we can be a bit more comfortable than otherwise if the power goes off for whatever reason.

I believe that parts of the UK had weather-related power cuts last night, for instance. A lantern to see in the dark, blankets for when the heating goes off, and water to drink is a good start, surely?

I give up now. It seems that we are in two camps - those who want to be prepared and those who don't. I doubt, after all the posts and threads discussing this, that one camp will ever persuade the other (until after a long power cut, at least )

We had a power cut last night. I was glad of the torch and candles and matches. I’ve ordered a wind up radio. I might order sleeping bags, which they also recommend.

My DH, who thinks I’m nuts, had to eat his word last night during the power cut.

The government is certainly prepared. There is a big country house near us used by government security services - in the estate there is a bunker - just the doors are visible. Bet they have loads of supplies in there😊. Real 007 stuff, with blacked out cars etc.

Looks like there's been a run on wind up radios.

I wouldn't dream of turning to Just Giving and expect other people to fund me.

I might put some bottled water in the spare room and possibly look out for a battery operated radio in a charity shop.

I feel we need to mindful of out MH in these times. Try to get out, talk to other humans and so on.

I don't know if it's just me but I always have tinned food and basics like rice and pasta and bottle water

I also have wine and lot of gin

I don't have a torch though

I'm just trying to work out how to carry 25 liters of water which is the recommended amount for us with 2 dogs and 2 adults. If we were evacuated how would we carry all this stuff. And my car has a radio so why a battery one?
Thanks to everyone who replied but I think what I store will be more limited.

I have 3 packs of wet tissues that can be used instead of showering.
Scott's porridge oats 3 PACKS
6 Dog food trays with long sell-by date
Enough bottled water for self and dog for three days.
Favourite tinned soups and Ambrosia milk puddings.. Nothing that needs cooking
I always have good torches in the house

sazz1

I'm just trying to work out how to carry 25 liters of water which is the recommended amount for us with 2 dogs and 2 adults. If we were evacuated how would we carry all this stuff. And my car has a radio so why a battery one?
Thanks to everyone who replied but I think what I store will be more limited.

You will not be evacuated. You are advised to independently help yourself by stocking up on essentials.

To fill a hot water bottle you can boil a saucepan of water. Pour it into your electric kettle and pour into the hot water bottle.

But if we have got no electricity we can’t do that.

We live in a rural area so we always have a torch, matches, candles, plus we are in what is called a dark sky area so no street lighting. So from that point of view a torch is a necessity.

Silvershadow

But if we have got no electricity we can’t do that.

We live in a rural area so we always have a torch, matches, candles, plus we are in what is called a dark sky area so no street lighting. So from that point of view a torch is a necessity.

Camping gas stove with fuel. Not expensive and don’t take up much fuel.

This reminds me of every house getting a leaflet (think it was 1970s) of what to do in a nuclear attack. Take off inside doors and block windows with them. Sit under a table or behind a sofa? Anyone remember that rubbish?

Silvershadow

But if we have got no electricity we can’t do that.

We live in a rural area so we always have a torch, matches, candles, plus we are in what is called a dark sky area so no street lighting. So from that point of view a torch is a necessity.

That is why we are advised to have some other way of heating food and water. Otherwise, should we have no electricity, we have no way of warming ourselves from the inside out with a hot meal or drink, or - as you say - of pre-warming our beds with a hot water bottle.

sazz1

This reminds me of every house getting a leaflet (think it was 1970s) of what to do in a nuclear attack. Take off inside doors and block windows with them. Sit under a table or behind a sofa? Anyone remember that rubbish?

I have a copy of that leaflet - I came across it when clearing my mum's house, and couldn't bring myself to throw it away. 😅

But personally, I dont see a link between that leaflet and the current (no pun intended) situation.
Perhaps that is because in our area (central England, rural, but not 'remote', though 4 miles to nearest shops/services), we have both power and water outages often enough to already have some back-up in place in the form of bottled water and wipes, amongst other things.

Perhaps it is this experience that leads us to see the value of being prepared in advance for potential disruption of other kinds too.

Just looked on.Govt website Nuclear and Radiation attack

If there was a nuclear bomb attack god forbid think I would just like to be wiped out and not survive I bet all the politicians and top knobs will be in a luxurious bunker with all mod cons.

• Go indoors immediately: Close all doors and windows, and turn off heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems or fans.
• Seek central shelter: Stay in the middle of a sturdy building or basement, away from exterior walls and roofs, for 1 to 2 days.
• Tune in: Monitor official updates through local media, police broadcasts, or government channels; do not attempt to evacuate or collect family members unless specifically instructed.
• Decontaminate: Remove outer layers of clothing to eliminate roughly 90% of surface radioactive material, wash your hair with mild shampoo (without conditioner), and clean exposed pets with soap.
• Stable iodine: Only take specific stable iodine tablets if explicitly advised by health authorities to protect your thyroid.
• Conserve supplies: Store-bought or packaged indoor food and sealed mains tap water remain safe to consume.

I really would not want to survive a nuclear attack….

I’ve ordered emergency radio £18 from Amazon, got to be worth it…

Long lasting power pack cost £80 but I can then plug all that is needful in for some considerable time. (I could do with a wee camping stove tho and will attend to this).

Ive ordered a wine up radio that can charge my phone and give me a reading light.

I remember the leaflets in the 70s. I didn't really know what the Cold War was but I remember asking my Dad how we would whitewash the windows if we only had a 3 minute warning 😆

I am not preparing for Armageddon. I am aiming to ensure that I have sufficient to eat and keep us warm and reasonably comfortable if the power goes off for a 3 or 4 day period. I have no intention of fighting my way to the shops with hoards of other people, possibly in a freezing downpour.

This is so easy for many of us. We look in our cupboards and see that we don’t need to buy much to have enough for more than 3 days or even longer.
I’ve just sorted out a couple of drawers. I’ve got masses of torches, I’m including bike lights etc., lots of batteries, candles, matches. We bought a gas ring when we had our kitchen renewed, we’ve got a gas barbecue and 4 water butts.
What about those that can’t do this?
I’ve got a bit lazy about donating to the food bank so I’ve given myself a nudge in the ribs and started again. perhaps we should be donating things other than food?

Ooo I forgot my bike lights they could be all charged up for good enough lighting for a decent while I must do a box ready. And cheap cigarette lighters are safer than matches for some.