Harden Up Plan

Every household should have a gas bottle, 9kg for home, 2kg or 4kg easier on-road. Check the date stamped on the side of the bottle – the valve must be checked and replaced every 10 years. If you have a brand new gas bottle do not exchange it – get it filled – might cost more, but you’ll get the full ten years – a 1 metre hose, regulator and a ‘gas ring’ – not a BBQ (they use too much gas with all those holes), probably cost around $100 all up – in other words - $10 per year and you can at least be assured to have the ability to heat some water and food if you lose power for whatever reason – don’t forget gas tape for thread and soap around the hose fittings to check for leaks – ring and ask a Gas Specialist about safety – They know – not a Service Station. Do not store the bottle inside the house and if you implement your evacuation plan, the gas bottle is never inside the car, always on the roof or trailer. Of course $20 will get you a small gas unit and a few cartridges that will get you out of trouble for a few days – work on 2 cartridges per day – available at most camping, hardware, K Mart, Big W, Target type shops.

by Peter Haakmeester