Preps found wanting, or sufficient in current severe weather

[Catweazle]

Three days with no power and sub zero temperatures? Are you prepared for such an event?

Yes, but you probably guessed that.

[adam2]

Well I am prepared for a week or more of sub zero temperatures and no mains electricity, but most people are clearly not.

Yet again we see old folks homes and other institutions that are totally unprepared. IMHO, such premises should have a standby generator by law. Individuals as distinct from institutions should consider a generator, but often lower technology preps will suffice.

Off grid means of heating at least one room. A solid fuel stove is probably best, an open fire almost as good, and a portable heating appliance that uses paraffin or LPG worth considering. Keep fuel for a month.

Battery lamps, with batteries for a months use. at least 100 candles, oil hurricane lamps. Battery lighting is safe and simple, candles and oil lamps are cheaper to run and provide valuable warmth.

Means of heating/cooking a basic meal without mains services. possibly combined with the heating arrangements, or a camping stove, fuel for a months use.
Several changes of long underwear.
At least one good ALL WOOL blanket per person, IN ADDITION to any blankets used normally on beds.

[Potemkin Villager]

Only minor accident was that my nightshirt caught fire ! That could have ended very badly but was rapidly ripped of. I bent down to place another log in the stove and a freak gust of wind forced flames out of the stove door, igniting my nightwear.

Wow take care A2 even with the best laid plans it is often
the unanticipated and unexpected that can trip us up!

[kenneal - lagger]

It's a lot warmer here today but I've put on a body warmer to sit down and I'm eating(drinking?) a large bowl of hot soup for lunch to warm up!

[adam2]

Another local report NOT MY HOME.
Friends reported that their neighbours have suffered badly despite being apparently well prepared.
No mains electricity. Generator failed to start when called upon.
Battery emergency lighting "only worked for a few minutes"
Bulk LPG tank empty. Only one portable propane cylinder to hand, now empty no cooking.
Multi fuel stove "wont work"
Plenty of food but no means of cooking same.
Children miserable.
Pet cats "look very sad" And huddling together to keep warm.

I visited and assisted so far as I could.
Started generator after some basic maintenance and many attempts with jump leads and Easy start. Exhaust caught fire but otherwise OK.
Fitted new battery to battery emergency lighting, works fine now. Fitted LED bulbs to reduce load.
Fitted new and much larger starter battery to generator.
Multi fuel stove was a challenge to light but eventually burnt fine.
Connected existing electric cooker to a 13 amp plug NOT BEST PRACTICE BUT ARGUABLY ACCEPTABLE IN AN EMERGENCY. This restricts use but permits use from the generator.

Cheered children up with hot drinking chocolate and promising that they would not die of cold.
Cheered cats up with fried bacon.

[kenneal - lagger]

Our kitchen stove can be a so and so to start if the chimney gets cold and wet. It's surprising really as it is straight once the gases get into the insulated block section. I sometimes have to put a blow lamp on the metal flue connecting the stove to the insulated flue to get some heat into it to get it to draw.

If their flue hadn't been used for some time I'm not surprised that it wouldn't start. Our insulated flue can get too cold within a week of not being used in the wrong weather conditions!! Perhaps they have hopefully learned to keep up the basic maintenance in future.

Most of our systems are in use all the time and maintained. Our main genny has been the problem in the past as is it difficult to get anyone to maintain it. I've now found two people who can work on them so I've got to get the old water cooled genny off for a rebuild quickly so that the stand by is standing by!

Did you wear a Santa hat, Adam? I expect the kids would have believed in Santa after you visit!!

[adam2]

The stove was indeed suffering from a cold flue, initial efforts at lighting it filled the room with smoke.
After getting the generator going, I used a hot air gun directed up the flue. The thing used for paint stripping.

A third party gave me a lift to the house with relief supplies, two large batteries, basic tool kit, 12 volt LED bulbs, blankets, sausages, bacon, bread, A drum of red diesel, hot chocolate powder, and 6 nets of logs.
All via horse drawn cart, a bit much for the horse so we walked up the hill as the animal was tiring.

[adam2]

Another possible cold weather prep would be a large poncho made out of a blanket, preferably wool.
More often considered as camping or outdoor equipment, but also useful in the home if heating equipment or fuel is not available or being used sparingly.

Children like these and might choose to wear them regularly.

Can be purchased ready made
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393675786688 ... SwERlhhFQr as an example.

No specific recommendation is made regarding that particular fleabay listing, link provided to show the type of article to which I refer.

Or home made of course, wool is best and naturally fire retardant, an important consideration as it might be worn near a fire or radiant heater. A hood adds to warmth, and a pocket is handy, outdoors for gloves, hat, small tools, keys etc, and indoors for telephones and remote controls.
Choose a strong and closely woven blanket, otherwise it may come apart near the head opening.