Prepping - Yes or No?

[AlwightDallin]

Ok so as a stupidly organised person I must admit I’m prepared for any ‘global event’ that might result in disruption to the food supply chain, electricity / gas supply etc.

I don’t think it’s likely we face a nuclear threat, as an IT manager I think it’s more likely a cyber attack. Of course when you tell people you’re prepped they automatically assume you’re one of the extreme ones (you know the sort, they wear camo and don’t trust the mainstream media )

I am very normal but yes I have a ‘what if’ cupboard which alleviates my worries should anything happen, even a local issue. Just wondered if anyone else is prepped for what if too?

 

[LanyardedHeretic]

After covid I would have thought this was much more mainstream, but apparently not.

We have about a month's worth of food stored, some medicines (luckily none of us are dependent on prescription medications), batteries, water.

We have solar panels and a house battery, which would probably help keep the freezer going on a sunny day without mains, but maybe not much else. That was fluke, we just bought a house with solar already installed, but we love it.

For anyone thinking of storing food or emergency supplies, start small, don't panic. Even a day or two of you not needing to rush to the shops for basics eases pressure on the supply chain and helps get things back on track.

 

[Rockin' Robin]

It is a sensible idea, regardless of any future situations.

 

[JGirl1]

I have been prepping for a few years now, started when I worked for the RAF and became aware of security levels changing every now and again when I arrived at work - was only a teen so had not really thought of threats against us like that before. Carried on taking an emergency bag to work after I changed jobs and was laughed at by everyone - until they needed to borrow painkillers/plasters etc!
I have made many mistakes along the way, buying tinned food that has gone well out of date as none of us like it for example, but I have learnt from experience and I am a bit happier with my stash for now.

My whole family have always thought I am nuts (tin foil hat anyone??) but I am pleased to say that my Dad has now started keeping a few provisions in just in case, and my husband is finally on board. Since the new government advice even my very laid back and sceptical brother and his friends have started to plan ahead a bit more.
We have had instances of water going off in the past and all the shops have been cleared out with people panicking on Facebook about how to manage. As I have a disabled child I am registered on the Priority Service lists for utilities ( please please do this if you have vulnerable, disabled or elderly family at home, it's free and really easy), but I do also keep a large amount of bottled water handy at home. It seems crazy to me that our life is literally dependant on access to water but so many people don't take precautions in keeping some at home. We do have to take some responsibility for our own health and safety and that is one thing I would absolutely not take a chance with, regardless of whether help may come from others.

I only have a bungalow so have to be creative with storage but I try to utilise spaces wherever I can, even using storage drawers etc with a throw over the top so it looks nice. I am still trying to reorganise though, it's an ongoing project, especially as I keep adding stuff to my supplies!

 

[Lindylou]

We‘ve been slowly building up tins and crackers water and extra batteries. We’ve always done this to a certain extent as we used to get a lot of power cuts as the local junction box was outdated and being rural when we get a water leak , which we had 2 this year, guarantee it will be in a farmers field somewhere!
As we’re both over 60 now I don’t want to risking broken hips if we get snow!
power banks for your mobile and keep charged up, will last a few charges.
If we get power cuts no doom scrolling on your phone and have separate torches !

 

[Bobby Chariot]

Just common sense to have a few extra items in the cupboard, batteries, candles, water, a charged powerbank, radio etc.
My worry would be prescription medicine for me & especially Mrs Chariot.
I've been a radio nut since a kid & have around 40 in my collection, so if anyone needs one...

 

[Upintheair83]

Iv not really prepped much, but I have got a few things....but I must admit I'm starting to worry abit now, especially since my local police have posted something on social media saying 'are you ready to go?' Telling us to pack medication documents and be ready to leave. It's really panicking me if I'm honest, whereas before I was quite laid back about it all.

 

[AlwightDallin]

The disabled register for utilities is a great shout, my daughter is disabled so I’ll register. I have 3 days of water, a butane camping stove & lots of butane canisters, a bbq / outdoor kitchen, torches, headlamps, batteries, candles and long lighters, a wind up radio / torch, always well stocked for long life food etc. I have a stocked first aid kit in my car and one in the house, I carry a mini one too.

I could do with some new hot water bottles and some long life milk, and I need to be a lot better at remembering to keep the power banks charged up - I think I’ll get a big non portable one and keep it topped up. I think I’ll get some extra loo roll and put it in the loft. It’s always the first thing to go!

I’m glad others are getting ready too (even if we don’t know what for) and rather than feeling anxious it makes me feel at least reassured that we have bases covered should anything happen. I don’t think ‘being a prepper’ is seen as extreme as it once was especially after Covid.

 

[Bobby Chariot]

A multi-band radio is also a good idea, I would go with the xhdata d-219, it's about a tenner & the 2xAA batteries it takes will last ages.
A wind-up radio needs about 1 hour of cranking for about 15 mins of listening without batteries.

 

[Heidi88]

I'm in Ireland and in the last few months our government sent a booklet on preparing for emergencies. With bomb threats to a few Irish flights last week and our equivalent of the BBC off the air due to a bomb threat I have started filling a box with food and buying big 5L bottles of water. I am keeping a note in my phone of what i have and the use by dates to avoid things going to waste.

At the weekend I stocked up on batteries and a battery operated radio.

I normally never keep any cash in my home but have withdrawn some as I worry what would happen say if VISA went down and we could no longer use debit/credit cards.

 

[AlwightDallin]

A multi-band radio is also a good idea, I would go with the xhdata d-219, it's about a tenner & the 2xAA batteries it takes will last ages.
A wind-up radio needs about 1 hour of cranking for about 15 mins of listening without batteries.

Thanks, I’ll get one I think I’ll withdraw money too in case the banks go down.

I hope we never have to out any of this in practice, I don’t want to be smug I just want us all to be safe! But it is a safety blanket feeling to know you’ve at least got the basics covered in your household. Not that anyone else I know agrees - a lady put on our community fb group ‘are you all prepared in case of a power outage’ and she got called a scaremongering b**** and all sorts- by the same people who’d be bemoaning the government if it did happen!

 

[HotesTilaire]

Yeah I was turning the discontent thread a bit prepper ish!
I do identify as one but I’m y’know just British and keen on bulk buying mostly. I’m disabled mainly housebound and was fortunate during Covid to have a large supply of toilet rolls and tins, just because.

I actually tried to stop keeping so much in a few years ago, but have been slowly building back up this year.

I made a few errors in the past and ended up donating some tins to food banks, not the worst thing all in all. I’ll buy 4 tins of soup, have one, go off it and donate 3 a year later. for me it’s worth buying stuff in and possibly donating some, than not having it in at all. I also pass extra stuff off to neighbours or family sometimes.

It’s mostly just good household management and some candles and a radio just in case.

 

[Cheapseats]

Frequent power cuts were common in the 1970s so I don't think that since that period I've ever been without candles.
As an ex camper, I have a camping stove and fuel for it. A log burner cos I like knowing I can heat the room and cook on the stove if nec. Firepit in garden. Large woodstore of logs.
Extra tins of food i have done on and off for decades. I grow herbs that we like. I've grown potatoes in past and will get another couple of potato grow bags after Christmas. We always keep lots of dried herbs and spices cos we often cook with them.
Always have some dried lentils, split peas and chickpeas.
I dont have masses of food but I do have more than 3 days worth.
Water is something I've never kept because I always thought we could fill a bath with it in an emergency but it seems not?

 

[LanyardedHeretic]

If electricity goes, many people will be without water.

 

[Strawberry13]

I have a cupboard full now, ordered 100 toilet rolls off amazon as they were on prime lol. I’m trying not to panic but also aware people going to hit a fan at some point . I think my biggest issue is how prepared do I NEED to be ?