390 replies to this topic

[charlie]

Well, it looks like we have a brief period of respite and a thaw is underway. This morning the other half has been out clearing snow from the pavements as have our neighbours.

It made me think about what we can do to help ourselves and our community to be more prepared for the snow and cold this winter. Looking at the long range forcasts more snow is predicted and possibly around Christmas.

So, I though it might be helpful as a forum to put together a guidance note/checklist which we can refer to, setting out what we think are the essentials we need and things we should be doing as individuals/families and as a community to cope with further bad weather.

I'll kick it off and if we have enough input - I'll put together a checklist at the end of next week.

The checklist/questions could consist of a number of categories:

Household:
Does my boiler need servicing?
Back up heating (oil radiators are very good value for money and relatively cost effective)
Have I bled my radiators to ensure maximum efficiency?
Do my pipes need lagging?
Draught proof windows and doors
Where are my stop cocks? - are they labelled?
Can I isolate my outside tap?
Do I have a supply of candles, matches, torches and spare batteries?
Do I have a battery operated radio?
Do I have coal, oil,logs etc..?

Food:
What essentials should I have in my cupboard?
Long life milk
Stock cubes
Vegetables
Tinned tomatoes
Pulses
Baked beans
Tea
Sugar
Coffee
Stock up freezer:
Bread
Meat

Wildlife:
Bird seed etc...
Ensure fresh supply of water


Clothing:
Thermal Underwear
Warm socks
Yaktrax for shoes and boots
Cosy slippers


My Street - micro Communities:
Find out who your neighbours are
Do you have any elderly neighbours?
Do they need help during weather like this
Set up street support system
Invest in snow shovel
Clear your bit of the pavement
Do you need grit boxes
Have the grit boxes been replenished

Public Transport:
Provide updates on VN

Local Authorities:
What can we ask local authorities to do

Local Businesses
What can they do?
Clear snow from outside shops
Ensure that the Triangle has enough grit boxes and they are full


I would add that the list may need to be refined or looked at in a different way. At the moment it is my initial brain dump. If we get to something we like the look of we could circulate it to all the local community and business groups who can then circulate it to their mailing lists? Just a thought.

Edited by charlie, 04 December 2010 - 11:36 AM.

[misspoddy]

May I add something really silly but essential to the shopping list? Toilet paper! I know you won't die without it, but it's bloody annoying if you run out.... We have a house and freezer full of food and only had to go to sainsburys for loo rolls... How very stupid.

[charlie]

Good addition Miss Poody

I'm going to add:

Hats
Gloves
Scarves

and a new category called:

Do I need to travel:
What is the furthest distance I would be prepared to walk if I can't get back by public transport.
Am I dressed for the outdoor elements?
If I do need to travel by car what should I have in my car:
Blanket
Water
Snow shovel
Torch

Car checklist:
Cars have been standing for a long time in the snow and many unused. Should we be starting them up everyday and running the engine during the cold weather to ensure the battery stays topped up?

[Local]

Should we be starting them up everyday and running the engine during the cold weather to ensure the battery stays topped up?

Good question. I suspect there are reasons for and against it and would like to balance the issues.

I had two uncles: one who advised refilling the kettle immediately, in case the water was cut off; the other advising to wait until the element had cooled, to avoid damage. It was the first time I realised that grown ups however well meaning were not always right.

[andreas]

This is probably more for rural areas, but I wonder whether a camping stove should be on the list in the event of power cuts.

Another really important item for some people will be a good supply of prescription drugs.

[James]

Car checklist:
Cars have been standing for a long time in the snow and many unused. Should we be starting them up everyday and running the engine during the cold weather to ensure the battery stays topped up?

If you get a portable car jumpstarter they come with extra features such as torch and power socket. The power supply is sufficient for running a telephone base station and broadband router during a power cut enabling you to use wifi to a laptop and take phone calls.

I have just ordered a camping stove - the best deal I could find was the Campingaz Bistro at £10.99 inc free delivery from Amazon.co.uk and CP250 butane gas cannisters for £4.95 at www.alloutdoor.co.uk inc free delivery.

[Fang]

Well, it looks like we have a brief period of respite and a thaw is underway. This morning the other half has been out clearing snow from the pavements as have our neighbours.

It made me think about what we can do to help ourselves and our community to be more prepared for the snow and cold this winter. Looking at the long range forcasts more snow is predicted and possibly around Christmas.

So, I though it might be helpful as a forum to put together a guidance note/checklist which we can refer to, setting out what we think are the essentials we need and things we should be doing as individuals/families and as a community to cope with further bad weather.

I'll kick it off and if we have enough input - I'll put together a checklist at the end of next week.

The checklist/questions could consist of a number of categories:

Household:
Does my boiler need servicing?
Back up heating (oil radiators are very good value for money and relatively cost effective)
Have I bled my radiators to ensure maximum efficiency?
Do my pipes need lagging?
Draught proof windows and doors
Where are my stop cocks? - are they labelled?
Can I isolate my outside tap?
Do I have a supply of candles, matches, torches and spare batteries?
Do I have a battery operated radio?
Do I have coal, oil,logs etc..?

Food:
What essentials should I have in my cupboard?
Long life milk
Stock cubes
Vegetables
Tinned tomatoes
Pulses
Baked beans
Tea
Sugar
Coffee
Stock up freezer:
Bread
Meat

Wildlife:
Bird seed etc...
Ensure fresh supply of water


Clothing:
Thermal Underwear
Warm socks
Yaktrax for shoes and boots
Cosy slippers


My Street - micro Communities:
Find out who your neighbours are
Do you have any elderly neighbours?
Do they need help during weather like this
Set up street support system
Invest in snow shovel
Clear your bit of the pavement
Do you need grit boxes
Have the grit boxes been replenished

Public Transport:
Provide updates on VN

Local Authorities:
What can we ask local authorities to do

Local Businesses
What can they do?
Clear snow from outside shops
Ensure that the Triangle has enough grit boxes and they are full


I would add that the list may need to be refined or looked at in a different way. At the moment it is my initial brain dump. If we get to something we like the look of we could circulate it to all the local community and business groups who can then circulate it to their mailing lists? Just a thought.

Hunting rifle, something simple, say a Remington Model 40-XB Rangemaster or Winchester Super X Rifle, both of which will bring down a moose. Possibly a hand gun for personal protection (I favour the Glock 9mm).

[charlie]

I knew this thread would be a sitting duck for the Fangster. . But, funnily enough some of us Vners are joining a rifle club in the spring.

Edited by charlie, 04 December 2010 - 03:15 PM.

[RetiredMember1]

A great idea, Charlie! Could we also start a car pool thread? I felt guilty driving in to work solo this week when others were struggling (hence my efforts to offer lifts to random strangers on the street!). From next week, I won't have the luxury of freelancing at a workplace with a car park for a while and will be struggling in to work again on public transport (if I don't work, I don't get paid, and can't work from home), so it would be great to know if, in the event of trains not running, I could catch a lift with someone who might be passing a tube or train station or bus stop with services that were running.

Two points re Charlie's list. Firstly, a query: Why is isolating an outside tap a good idea? And, secondly, a tip: As I hate long-life milk, I freeze fresh milk and leave it out overnight to defrost, meaning I never run out! Right - off to locate my stop cock...

[Local]

Just now you could leave fresh milk out overnight to freeze, then bring it indoors to defrost over your Campingaz Bistro. But you might need a Remington Model 40-XB Rangemaster or Winchester Super X Rifle, or possibly a Glock 9mm to defend against milkbottle thieves.

My main gripe over this weather is the lack of an ice-free port for launching the submarines. Perhaps we could persuade an alpha male to retake Tallinn.

[andreas]

Why is isolating an outside tap a good idea?

Because in very cold weather, the pipe will freeze and potentially burst once the thaw comes. Our stopcock for it got jammed open and so I would wrap the pipe in old rags during cold weather - fortunately Carrie the plumber kindly sorted it out for us when she came round to do a couple of other jobs.

Another for the list: squirrel snares. And no, I don't think it would be worth shooting a squirrel...

[ChewderOde]

Hunting rifle, something simple, say a Remington Model 40-XB Rangemaster or Winchester Super X Rifle, both of which will bring down a moose. Possibly a hand gun for personal protection (I favour the Glock 9mm).

If we're talking implements needed in cold weather - I think you might need extra firepower - my mind goes back to watching the film "the thing" where they were based in an arctic station and kurt russell has to kill "the thing" and he uses a flame thrower and high end exposives to finally annihilate the pest. My maybe I'm being over cautious but am sure I saw a mutated head walking on spiders legs behind the bakery section in sainsburys not a couple of days ago

be afraid, be very afraid

[misspoddy]

Flame thrower! Yes! Now you're talking. Liking your style ChewderOde!

[Hermit]

Another really important item for some people will be a good supply of prescription drugs.

Or non prescription ones, depends on the individual.

[Ziwa]

This morning ... clearing snow from the pavements as have our neighbours.

It made me think about what we can do to help ourselves and our community to be more prepared for the snow and cold this winter.

The list is a very good idea.

But what struck me is that everyone, including our community minded Charlie & Co, seems to wait 3 days until the snow thaws to clear the paths. That's all backwards. Closing barn doors after the horse is gone.... When it snows, clear it so it doesn't get worse.