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Power cuts - are you prepped?

(301 Posts)
Daisymae Thu 06-Oct-22 15:01:07

I see today that its possible areas may have 3 hour power cuts, but with 24 hours notice, worse case scenario Not as bad as I thought ?. I have torches, etc. But no doubt we can manage for a few hours.

Cossy Sat 08-Oct-22 11:07:41

Yes !! Have candles, three camping lamps (battery) and lots of torches and blankets if we are cold !

Cossy Sat 08-Oct-22 11:10:05

Also if we genuinely do get “warning” then we could make up flasks of hot drinks and soups !! X

greenlady102 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:15:14

we regularly get power cuts where I live so nothing new here.

Brownowl564 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:16:59

Having lost power twice last year during the storms including storm Arwen , we now have battery operated lanterns , torches , tea lights and a small camping stove, plenty of warm blankets and throws at the ready

Zetacatty Sat 08-Oct-22 11:17:30

I bought an extra torch. That’s it! No candles. If we get a power cut warning I shall take the food we need out of the freezers so I won’t have to open them when the power is off. Make sure your e-reader is fully charged. And fill your hot water bottle.

womblekelly Sat 08-Oct-22 11:17:31

Yep, have candles, firewood, wind up torches, extra mobile fully charged (like many landline won't work if no power), matches, kettle that I can use on woodburner etc. Freezer full so it doesn't defrost etc. Oh and the good old fondue set as the ultimate standby!

Missingmoominmama Sat 08-Oct-22 11:20:21

I camp a lot, and we also have a caravan which can be run on the leisure battery and gas canisters. I have loads of gear to keep us going!!

bear1 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:24:04

we had 36 hours without power in February after the storm and went and bought a small camping stove and plenty of refills also bought 2 camping lamps run on batterys it was cold but at least we had light and could heat up soup and had sandwiches, have used both a couple of times since then as live in a rural area and power cuts happen often normally an hour at most but sometimes longer February one being worse so far

Doodledog Sat 08-Oct-22 11:25:03

I have battery lanterns instead of candles. I don't think I could be doing with candlelight for three hours, but the lanterns give off a reasonable light, and are safer for walking around.

I bought them a while ago, and they have shot up in price on Amazon, with no delivery until November. This is another advantage of planning ahead - when risks get real things become unavailable.

NoddingGanGan Sat 08-Oct-22 11:32:08

Yes, live quite rurally so always have torches including two wind ups, lots of candles in, plus Tilly lamp and camping gas stove with spare cylinder so can still have a cuppa/heat up tins of soup etc. Bring it on!

Geraldine7651 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:34:29

I bought a thermos jug and every morning when I boil the kettle I fill it up with boil water.
I use the water throughout the day for drinks.
Any leftover water goes in washing up water.

Scottiebear Sat 08-Oct-22 11:39:22

Always have loads of candles in the house. Safe in glass holders or jars. And torches. Have a fantastic battery radio which I keep charged. Plan to buy a flask to keep some hot water in. Always have plenty bread and fillings for sandwiches, so we won't starve. Will keep our tablets charged, and books for entertainment. And we've got throws. I'm sure we can manage for a few hours.
I've been wondering for a while how numerous power cuts will affect people with electric cars.

sharonarnott Sat 08-Oct-22 11:41:48

We have been suffering powecuts for the last 8 weeks due to problems with the underground network in our area. We were supplied with a generator for one of them because it lasted 36 hours and we have a vulnerable adult on the premises. I think we can cope for 3 hours. What I am wondering is, what time of the day will they take place because surely it is going to affect businesses

CBBL Sat 08-Oct-22 11:43:24

I have gas for cooking, but also have a single burner camping stove. In addition, I have a battery operated Lantern, lots of candles and matches, and an emergency blanket (plus fleecy throws). No hot water bottles though! No fireplaces in the house, but also have a small gas fire, and canisters of gas - should this be needed.

Nannashirlz Sat 08-Oct-22 11:47:49

I’ve got loads of candles and power bank for charging stuff and a wind up lamp what else do I need lol probably happen at bed time anyway having done loads of camping with going to rallies.

Balthazar Sat 08-Oct-22 11:49:08

Coal and logs for open fire, cook on gas - supplied in cylinders, loads of candles from Ikea, Head torches from Amazon - loads of books to read!, have been knitting fairisle jumpers for years - so to be honest quite looking forward to it!

Alioop Sat 08-Oct-22 11:49:45

I have is candles, loads of them, I always seem to get them as presents. I've torches somewhere in garage so I may go hunting.
When we had power cuts as kids we played cards and games to put the time in. I can't see my dog joining in with me in a game of poker so I'll just head off to my bed.

pooohbear2811 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:53:53

We have 2 lightbulbs that work as normal lightbulbs that in the event of a power cut they turn themselves on as have an inbuilt battery that charge while on.
Got them free a number of years ago from Scottish Power.
We have a camping stove, plenty of data on our phones and can use a quilt for warmth if need be.
I agree as long as they give you a warning then you can make your evening meal at a time there will be power, and fill flasks if need be.

Juliet27 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:56:16

My main concern would be the tortoise hibernating in the spare fridge!

Nannan2 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:56:54

Gawd knows where my canles are- ive just moved house!

Nannan2 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:57:18

*Candles.lol

Treetops05 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:58:03

We have blackouts most weeks, due to our position...won't be anything new for us.

Willow68 Sat 08-Oct-22 11:58:48

I have ordered camping lights and had not thought about a camping stove. I think it’s a brilliant idea though. In winter being able make something warm, soup or whatever. I have lots candles. I can see prices shooting up so thought grab few camp lanterns before they end up being huge amounts..

MaggsMcG Sat 08-Oct-22 12:27:51

As I live on my own I will retire to bed with my torch, battery pack, mobile phone, ipad and a flask of hot chocolate. The cat an join me if she wants to. As they are saying 3-4 hours I'm sure I can manage.

leeds22 Sat 08-Oct-22 12:29:11

During the power cuts in the 70s we lived near a hospital and so never experienced a single power cut, this time we live in a rural area so are getting prepared:
wood burner, lots of logs/sticks
candles
camping stove
various calor/solar lights
we try to keep phones/ipads charged up
we still need to get some more torches

Wish our govt would get its act together like the Europeans and order temperature reductions in public buildings, shops, etc