When snow or a storm closes the roads over the Moor, the shops can run short and the power can go off for days. A few cheap things put by now make a big difference.
You do not need to buy it all at once.
Start small
- Add one or two extra tins or packets to each shop. Over a month, that builds a good store.
- Choose own-brand and value ranges. Tinned beans, tomatoes, fish and fruit are some of the cheapest food there is.
- Put new tins at the back and use the old ones first, so nothing is wasted.
- "Best before" is about quality, not safety — tins and dry food are usually fine after it. "Use by" is about safety, so always keep to it.
Water comes first
The Alston Moor Emergency Response Group (AMERG) suggests keeping 10 litres of water per person per day, for at least 3 days, with extra for babies and pets. For two people, that is 60 litres. It does not have to cost anything:
- Wash out empty plastic drinks bottles and fill them from the tap. Write the date on each one, keep them somewhere cool and dark, and refresh them from time to time.
- When a storm is forecast, fill the kettle, a jug and some pans. Fill the bath too — use that water for flushing the toilet and washing, not for drinking.
- Keep hand sanitiser and wet wipes for when the water is off.
- If you are older, disabled or unwell, join United Utilities' Priority Services Register on 0345 072 6093. You get extra help when the water goes off.
When the power goes off
Most cookers, kettles and microwaves stop working. Plan for food that needs no cooking, or only hot water.
- Keep a tin opener that is not electric.
- When a warning comes, boil the kettle and fill a flask. Hot water from a flask makes drinks, instant porridge, noodles and couscous.
- If you have a gas hob, you may be able to light it with a match. Check your cooker's instructions first.
- Never use a barbecue, camping stove or generator indoors or in a garage. They give off carbon monoxide, which can kill.
- Keep the fridge and freezer doors shut. Our Keeping food safe page explains what to do with food when the power has been off.
Cheap meals that need no electricity
- Fish and bean salad: a tin of tuna or sardines with a drained tin of mixed beans or chickpeas, and a splash of vinegar.
- Overnight oats: oats soaked overnight in long-life milk or water, topped with tinned fruit.
- Couscous: cover it with hot water from the flask, wait five minutes, then stir in tinned sweetcorn and chickpeas.
- Sandwiches or crackers with corned beef, peanut butter or cheese spread.
- Pudding: tinned rice pudding or custard with tinned fruit — both are fine cold.
- Noodles or a packet soup made with flask water, with bread or crackers.
Crackers, oatcakes, long-life or powdered milk, peanut butter and dried fruit all keep far longer than bread.
Keep warm and keep well
- Order repeat prescriptions in good time before bad weather. Alston Pharmacy is on 01434 381259. Keep several days of your medicines at home.
- Wear layers and a hat, keep blankets handy, close the curtains and stay in one room.
- Use a torch, not candles. A battery or wind-up radio and a charged power bank are worth having.
- Keep some cash — card machines do not work in a power cut.
- Power cut? Ring 105. It is free.
- AMERG's emergency hubs at Alston Town Hall, Nenthead Village Hall and Garrigill Village Hall are warm, safe places that open when there is an emergency. See amerg.org/hubs.php.
Look out for each other
Knock on a neighbour's door, especially if they live alone. If someone should be checked on in every power cut — for example they are elderly, live alone or use oxygen — they can go on AMERG's Vulnerable neighbours list. You can register yourself, or someone else with their permission.
Need help? Please ask
- Short of food? See our Need food? page. It is free. A volunteer buys what you need locally and it is delivered discreetly, wherever you would like it.
- In an emergency, AMERG volunteers can help with food, heating, a lift or collecting medicine. Ask for help on the AMERG website. AMERG's local line, 01434 647247, is answered when the group is active.
- Life in danger? Ring 999.
- Money worries? Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden give free advice on 0808 278 7844.
Could you help?
When the lights go out, neighbours matter most. AMERG is looking for volunteers this winter. You could check on neighbours, collect or deliver supplies on foot or by car, offer a warm room for a few hours, or share a 4x4, chainsaw or generator. Offer your help on the AMERG website. Your details stay private — only the AMERG core group can see them.
One last thing
Before a storm, open amerg.org on your phone while you still have signal and power. Your phone keeps a copy of the key pages, so they still open when the signal goes. If the phones are down for a long time, check the noticeboards at Alston Town Hall, Nenthead Village Shop and Garrigill Village Hall.