Be prepared.

It seems there might be severe winter weather on the way. I know, I know. We all get fed up to the back teeth with hysteria arising over an inch of snow, but the reason hysteria gets a grip is that so many of us don't bother to think about how we'll cope in emergency situations if the weather really takes a turn for the severe.

I've not, to date, been caught out by snow, but did have to plan for severe tropical storms and hurricanes, when living overseas, and once had to cope without power for seven days. it's really the same common-sense stuff we'd need if we saw the sort of snow that's just fallen in parts of Europe.

For most of us here, things get back to normal pretty quickly, but there's always the chance in remoter locations, of that one time when we are caught pretty unprepared.

So what do you need to plan for? It's only common sense stuff really. How to get by if cut off from normal helplines or utilities for a while. Having enough to eat without relying on a fridge or freezer, being warm enough, even if that's only with extra duvets, being ready for power failures with emergency forms of lighting, and making sure that there are adequate supplies of all the things that the one you care for needs, like dressing packs, medication, nutritional drinks and so forth. Happily it's usually possible to stay in touch these days by mobile phone, as phone masts and networks fail seldom, but your landline can easily go out of action.

It's so easy to say 'oh it won't happen here', and it's true to say that, for most of us, it never will, or, if it does, not for long, but I think it's really worth thinking through how you'll get by if it ever does.

[sassy59]

Good post and given me something to think about. Thank you xxxxxx

[katieoxo60]

Your right many people don't think how will I manage if there is severe weather. I am always well stocked up which will last a few weeks I even have long life milk in the cupboard, but am afraid if the services break down theres not much we can do it is all dependent on healthy fit staff get things back to normal or keeping them running in the first place.Hope the services are prepared for the possible weather change. Fingers crossed

[kernowdame]

Must remember to get new torch batteries while I am out today.

[Hidden]

Never a bad idea to have a few extra of those around Kernowdame!

[FredaE]

Don't forget pet food as well. It is not easy to explain to a hungry cat that there is nothing to eat. I live in a suburban street on a south facing slope but we regularly get iced in. We could not get our car out for three weeks one year. Snow fell and eventually started to melt in the sun but froze again before nightfall. Next day more of the snow melted and made the icy road wet which added more water to the ice which froze again next evening. This went on for days and we were stuck. Most of the roads in the town are on hills so no salting except on bus routes. Never have an empty store cupboard. Remember if you have a power cut that your freezer will stay cold for a long time as long as you leave the door SHUT. If you are expecting really bad conditions it is a good idea to take a couple of days' frozen stuff out while you still have power and put it in bubble wrap in the fridge. Then you won't be tempted to open the freezer door to get just one thing out. If stuff thaws out you can refreeze it if it still has crunchy ice crystals inside otherwise you can cook and freeze again when the power comes back.

[Hidden]

A really good point FredaE. My own mog, Kasar, expects his bowl to be permanently topped up, and doesn't take at all kindly to shortfalls in cat food supply. He's quite happy to take the nearest leg in lieu of his usual brand, so yours is a timely reminder to keep an adequate supply in for emergency situations.