How to prepare for a power outage in winter?

That is exactly my thought: Everyone has their heating devices connected to the grid and wants to be the first to heat again when the power comes back. But it simply doesn’t come back. The grid operators and energy suppliers will then issue appeals through the media asking people to please turn off all their power-hungry devices. But the message doesn’t get through because radio, television, and the internet also don’t work without power.

Someone with a masonry heater in the house is presumably in the best position, provided their wood isn’t stolen at night.

Matthias

Grid operators may not be able to switch off individual households, but they can very well switch grid segments in order to carry out restart scenarios. These same mechanisms protect against a complete blackout in the sense of a chain reaction.

I have stockpiled supplies according to the BA for disaster protection. Not in every detail, but mostly.
In addition, a 2.2KW generator and sufficient fuel. Also 2 gas cylinders.
If the power goes out here, I would first fill the bathtub with water. That might take a while then.
Additionally, there are still about 200 liters in the hot water tank.
The gas heating would no longer work. If all else fails, I’ll just rig a Schuko plug on it, provided gas is even available.
Then the roller shutters go down and everything is locked as much as possible.
If there are prolonged power outages in more than one region, you can definitely expect looting. Especially since supermarkets, gas stations, etc. cannot open.
And no, I am not Durran.

Burglary? Panic room? I can't remember ever having asked about that here.

Matthias

Then you should do some brain jogging, it's good for you and helps to remember better again...

- Complete alarm system with perimeter protection, smoke, water, and gas detectors
- Outdoor area fully monitored by video with motion detection
- Connection to a security control center
- Also notification at the control center in case of power failure or heating failure
- Ability for the control center to remotely open the courtyard gate and the front door
- Ability for the control center to make announcements around the house via loudspeaker

You should actually be clear that you don't let strangers into the house when you are already building a high-security section. There must be a reason for that.

And the security service not only receives the system's alerts but also has access to the video footage.

Ultimately, it’s about the most comprehensive remote monitoring possible.

I imagine it like this: Someone climbs over the fence and approaches the house. They enter the detection range of one of the video cameras and the sensors trigger a notification to the security control center. The control center looks at the image, sees the people, and calls the police. Upon the police's arrival, it remotely opens the front gate so that the patrol car can drive directly to the back and apprehend the people before any major damage occurs.

Yes, and where does it now say anything about break-in and [Panicroom]? Nobody gets into my house unnoticed anyway, but I would, for example, like to be able to respond better to property damage in the rear area of the property. But that is really a completely different topic.