Winter gas supplies at risk.

[Workingman]

How about this for a list of things to do - from the media 'experts'.

* Keep multiple torches along with extra batteries

* Make sure your mobile phone is charged so you can make calls in the case of an emergency

* Use portable phone chargers

* Keep freezers and fridge doors closed

* Put a blanket over your fridges and freezers, as they will stay cold for many hours

* Turn off appliances like irons and electric fires as they could be a hazard if the power comes back on and you're not at home

* Write down a list of important contacts in case your phone dies

* Check on your neighbours.

All very elctrocentric and phone focussed, and a bit wierd.

If you are in a blackout so will most phone masts so having a fully charged phone will be no use - there are still very few solar powered masts.

What is a portable phone charger and how is it different from the ones that come with a phone?

Don't we all usually keep our fridge and freezer doors closed?

Turning things off and checking neighbours are the only worthwhile things and most of us would do those anyway: surely?

[Kaz]

I hope it's just the media going a bit OTT, as per!

[TheOstrich]

That is all a bit peculiar, to put it mildly.

Was joking with a neighbour a week or so back that if we have an electric blackout, given we've got the solar panels and a gas hob, we'd open up a soup kitchen for the locals.
Beginning to regret saying that now ....

[Workingman]

I hope it's just the media going a bit OTT, as per!

Are they, though? National Grid are not the media.

Where the media has gone OTT is with its helpful tips such as this nonsense from the BBC.

Simple maths shows that turning down the thermostat 1º C will not save 20% of your energy bill, it is not possible. Turning radiators off in some unused rooms, such as bedrooms and spare rooms, will help though.

Two chicken breast in a conventional oven - nobody does that! Beat them flat, cover in herbs and spices, then pan fry or grill for pennies. Much, much cheaper than the BBC expert suggests. I can show you the maths.

Get a grip, media, and stop patronising us, we are not stupid,

I'm now off to the Ostrich's soup kitchen for a hearty Scotch broth, crusty bun and a few fig rolls as a post meal treat.

[Kaz]

God knows, Frank!

I’m closest to Ossie so hard cheese, I’ll get there first

[Workingman]

No fig rolls and only thinned down tinned veg soup with stale bread - one slice per bowl. Some soup kitchen! I won't be going back!

I'll stick with the useless tips on cuting down the paranoid media feeds me.

[Kaz]

[cromwell]

I hope it's just the media going a bit OTT, as per!

Me too Kaz.
And they certainly have a habit of painting the worst picture possible recently.

[JoM]

What is a portable phone charger and how is it different from the ones that come with a phone?

Also known as a power bank, Frank.
Both of our lads have them for if they’re travelling, they’re cheap to buy and are a handy little device.

[Kaz]

What is a portable phone charger and how is it different from the ones that come with a phone?

Also known as a power bank, Frank.
Both of our lads have them for if they’re travelling, they’re cheap to buy and are a handy little device.

Becky has one.