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Preparing for emergencies - will you be stocking up?

Rosie_Scope

There's been a fair few messages from the government lately suggesting we stock up on essentials for emergencies. They suggest keeping things like bottled water, medication, torches and shelf-stable food in an accessible place just in case. Anything that would get you through a few days if something happened and you were without power or water.

I think it's quite sensible to have a few things around to keep you safe in emergencies. But some people have suggested the government are scaremongering by suggesting we do this. I've seen others saying that it's difficult enough to afford daily essentials without having to purchase extras you might not ever use.

What do you think about this messaging? Do you find it worrying or reassuring?

Will you be stocking up on things just in case?

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Mary_Scope

I was in Sainsburys on Tuesday evening and noticed that all of the own brand and cheaper brand 1L/2L/5L bottles of water were sold out, it was just the most expensive water brands left!

I think advice like that can be helpful and reassuring to a point because I feel like it can be quite easily tipped into making people feel quite anxious and frightened.

Rosie_Scope

Ooh that's interesting @Mary_Scope, maybe people are listening! I just hope it doesn't end up like the lockdown situation where a small amount of people hoarded reams and reams of toilet paper. Put a lot of people into desperate measures 😅

I'm going to have a nose around in Tesco tomorrow during my food shop and see if I spot anything similar happening down here!

ChrisR777

I had my Sainsbury's delivery yesterday, and I bought a few extras, but won't be going mad.

1x5 litre spring water ( It was only £1.75)

3x Heinz Lentil Soup

2x Sainsbury's baked beans

2x Sainsbury's Haricot beans in water

3x Dole pineapple chunks.

Rosie_Scope

That sounds like a sensible way of doing it @ChrisR777! Definitely enough to keep you going if you have to hunker down for whatever reason.

I think I might buy a couple of bits here and there rather than do it all in one go. And put it somewhere safe enough that I won't accidentally eat it, but not too safe that I'll forget where it is! I can just imagine encountering an emergency and having to root around in the dark having forgotten where I've stashed my beans 😂

SmellyBin

Three weeks ago we had a day without electricity because of maintenance. We thought we were well prepared, but a few powerbanks don't last that long. And last Winter we had twice that the water was contaminated and we either had to boil it or use bottled water. You have no idea how fast those bottles are gone. And with the stormy weather when parts of the UK and FR were having a blackout… I suspect it won't be easy even for those who are sort of prepared.

Last week I've bought a new powerbank, but only just realized we hardly have any candles in the house. Apart from that we've got a bit of food and probably enough water for three days. And I printed the phone numbers.

I can't help thinking of the Ukraine and Gaza when discussing this.

Rosie_Scope

I think you're right @SmellyBin. And I think it may be even harder for those in more isolated communities, or for anyone who might find it difficult to get out to pick up more resources should they run out. I hope in all this the messaging there's also an initiative to check on vulnerable neighbours for those who can!

What a good idea to print some phone numbers, I might have to borrow that one!

You don't realise how much of your life is stored on tech until you can't access it. I think I only know one phone number off by heart these days which doesn't stand me in great stead in difficult circumstances! Lots to think about!

yellowpineapple84

I feel worried by these kind of messages. I would feel more comfortable about them if they came in better times. We’re not in great times though as a country so rather than a comforting, sensible message I see this as a prediction from our government that things could very quickly go wrong and we’re not fully aware of what is going on. I feel very sad most of the time and this doesn’t help

Rag_793

Emergency Cut Outs due to Weather alongside Cyber Attacks from Russia are the one’s we have been told to stock up on alongside, an all out physical war with Russia and other Axis powers. I am on the emergency register with both the National Grid and Severn Trent.

I personally can’t stock up stuff such as tinned soups due to the contents that negatively impact my stomach.

I have a stock of tinned beans and mushy peas in the cupboard that have been there awhile. I am going to have to order in bottled water due to the kitchen being remodelled at some point. I have a stock of cereal bars that I get each month, not sure what else they want you to get.

SmellyBin

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1156704#Comment_1156704

Oh absolutely - it is rather scary.

Rosie_Scope

That's a fair point @yellowpineapple84, it's a worrying time for many, and I can really understand how something like this could make you feel even more anxious about things!

@Rag_793 I think it's just being mindful of anything you might need if you weren't able to access normal services for a few days. I suppose that can be personal, but the basic message seems to be suitable food, water, things for power outages like batteries or powerbanks, and medications. The cereal bars sound like a good idea, and it's good that you're all set up on the priority services register too!

Here's hoping we won't need any of it, but it might end up coming in useful for personal emergencies anyway! Even just small stuff like a burst pipe or local power cut.

I did read somewhere that many other countries have been encouraging their residents to do this for years and we're just behind the times. Sounds a bit typical for the UK to be behind everyone else on this sort of thing 😄

SmellyBin

Here in the NL we got a pamphlet with how to be prepared, I think it was in the Spring. There is also this website with necessities and practical suggestions, perhaps you can get a translation to English when you open it.

Or if there is a website especially for the UK someone might add it in this thread? For the basic things and knowing where to start…

SmellyBin

BTW - regular solar panels won't work when there is a power cut. Only the special ones that are off grid.

Anhedonia2

I realised I wouldn't do very well without electricity as I have zero way to heat up any of my stored food like pasta and tinned soup. Can you even eat soup or beans straight from the can without warming them? Honestly I'm utterly useless 😅

They give this or a similar warning every few years I think, but what has worried me this time is that almost every country in the world has given the same warning…

ChrisR777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1156720#Comment_1156720

Ha ha, you certainly can, and I often have eaten straight out of the tin. As for dried pasta, 3 or 4 hours sat in cold water does the same as 10 minutes of boiling.

Anhedonia2

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1156722#Comment_1156722

Good to know, thank you @ChrisR777! Some days I'm surprised I've lived as long as I have with how little I know 😅

ChrisR777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1156727#Comment_1156727

Water can be 'recycled' too, but unless in a survival situation, you probably wouldn't care to. 🤔

Darking

I think the messaging is sensible in principle. Most emergency preparedness advice isn't really about preparing for a catastrophe, it's about being able to cope with relatively ordinary disruptions such as power cuts, severe weather, water supply issues, transport problems or unexpected isolation. Having a torch, some bottled water, essential medication and a few days' worth of food seems like basic resilience rather than alarmism.That said, I can understand why some people see it as scaremongering, especially when messages are delivered without much context. If people hear "stock up on supplies", it's easy to imagine worst case scenarios. Others may feel frustrated because many households are already struggling with rising costs, and being told to buy extra items can sound out of touch with financial reality.Personally, I find the advice more reassuring than worrying. I'd rather know what practical steps I can take than be caught unprepared if something unexpected happens. The key is proportion. Nobody needs a bunker full of supplies, but having a few essentials that you gradually build up over time seems like common sense. A lot of the recommended items, such as medication, torches, batteries and shelved food, are things that are useful to have anyway.Ultimately, I think the message works best when it's framed as everyday preparedness rather than emergency stockpiling. For most people, the goal is simply to be a bit more self sufficient for a few days if services are disrupted, not to live in fear of a disaster. My own concern is that I have a lot of frozen food and a loss of electricity could cause the food to go bad.

Bluebell21

I bought a few extras, bottled water, soup, baked beans, tins of tuna and salmon.

Last week I had a couple of hours with no electricity, but thankfully have a gas hob.

You do not realise how much you take it for granted until it is not there.

yellowpineapple84

@Rosie_Scope The problem I’ve found with anxiety problems is I now find it hard to differentiate. The government announcement could well be just innocent common sense. I see the worst case scenario in anything. On top of my wider health problems the catastrophising is a real problem

Anhedonia2

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1156729#Comment_1156729

🤭 definitely something I'll leave as a last resort!

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