At Home

		Emergency
		Rubbish Pickup and Landfills
		Recycling
		Milk Delivery
		TV and Radio
		Telephones
		Water
		Gas
		Electricity -- Adapters, Converters, Transformers, Electric Service
		Furniture Rental
		Laundry and Ironing
		Window Cleaning
		Household Insurance
		Your Pets

Emergency

For Police, Ambulance, Fire, or Coastguard, dial 999.

Rubbish Pickup and Landfills

Garbage Pickup is much the same as in America, except that in some areas they also come right up to your yard and carry the garbage out for you. They also give you new plastic garbage bags to use. Check with neighbors to find out which day is rubbish collection day.

There are landfill dumps in most areas. The London Road Depot County landfill, located between Chalfont St. Giles and Amersham on the A413, will accept almost any rubbish.

Recycling

Recycling of cardboard, paper, and glass has recently been made easy in some areas with pickup every alternate week. Check with your local council or your neighbors for dates. They are still testing the best methods of recycling, but you can rely on there being recycling bins available in most supermarket carparks. You can recycle glass, plastic, cans, and paper or card.

Milk Delivery

Milk Delivery to your door is available, although it can be somewhat more expensive if your family consumes a lot of milk. Ask neighbors for the number of your local milkman.

TV and Radio

In Britain you must have a TV license. Do pay for one as the fine is quite substantial. There are few channels on TV, but do not despair as you can get Sky TV and a satellite dish. For TV licenses phone or write to:

TV Licensing, P.O. Box number 410, Bristol BS98 1TL.

It will cost approximately £100 per year. Most video stores can fill you in on satellite dish costs and receiver equipment for Sky TV, plus the information regarding monthly costs to have Sky. Cable is also available in many areas.

The U.S. uses a television transmission standard call NTSC, which cannot be used elsewhere. Most of Europe (except for France, which uses SECAM) uses the PAL system. Britain uses a modified PAL system. If you have moved from the U.S., you may wish to purchase a "multi-system" television. They work anywhere in the world except France. You may also wish to acquire a VCR that plays both U.S. and U.K. tapes. The best bargains for purchasing televisions, VCRs and stereo equipment are through families leaving England. See ads in the monthly ACS PTA newsletter and the Chilterns American Women's Club bulletin.

If you have moved from Europe (except France) you may use your PAL equipment in the U.K. after an adjustment. The picture on the European PAL system will work in the U.K., but the sound will need adjusting on both the TV and VCR.

If you have brought your stereo and computer equipment from the U.S., you should consult with an electrician to see if it can be adjusted for 50 cycles.

Multi-system C.C.R./ V.T.R. equipment and French satellites with the transcorder can be purchased or rented locally.

If cable TV is available in your area, service is available from Cable & Wireless.

Telephones

U.S. telephones will work in the U.K. A telephone adapter converts the phone plug.

BT will send you a free copy of your local Phone Book on request. A copy of any other phone directory can be ordered for approximately £5.50 a copy. The Thompson Directory for your area is also free.

International Calls

There are companies that offer inexpensive rates on international calls. Typically you set up a credit account with them with an amount that you specify. They accept credit or debit cards. Then as you use the service, the account is debited by the amount of your call. You might want to ask whether they would provide you with a detailed listing of your calls on a regular basis.

Water

Although the water is safe to drink, you may choose to buy bottled water! Note that your dishwasher also has a special compartment in the bottom of it for salt, as water is very hard.

Gas

See Gas in phone book for your specific area numbers. Your gas company most likely will let you pay by direct debit, and will give you a discount for doing so. A set payment is then automatically deducted from your bank account each month. Check with your supplier for details.

Electricity

Buy transformers to use electrical appliances from America. These are sold second-hand through the women's clubs.

The standard voltage in the U.K. is 240V and 50 Hz. This compares to 110V and 60Hz in the U.S. In general, by using an adapter, converter or transformer, most of your electrical appliances can be used in the U.K. You should also check to see which of your appliances come with a dual voltage option (computers, VCRs, battery chargers, etc.)

Adapters

An adapter is used to make U.S. plugs compatible with U.K sockets and DOES NOT change the voltage. Therefore, DO NOT use on any appliances with a motor without also using a transformer. Adapters can be used on lamps, but you must replace your U.S. bulb with a 240V bulb. As an alternative, you can purchase U.K. plugs at any hardware or DIY store and easily change the plug. Either way, remember the bulb!

Converters

A converter converts 240-volt current into 110 volts for the use of non-motorized appliances, such as travel irons, electric hair curlers, coffee makers, electric blankets, etc. They are used for anything that does not have a motor and draws less than 1000 watts. Wattage information is usually found on the aluminum plate attached to the appliance, or on the tag on electric blankets.

Transformers

A transformer is used to increase or decrease the voltage of a motorized appliance. Transformers are sold by watts, and the size needed depends on the appliance it is powering. You must determine the wattage needed for each appliance. The formula for doing this is:

Amps x volts = watts

Since transformers only step the voltage and leave the frequency unchanged, a 60Hz motor will turn slower when powered from a transformer in the U.K. In some cases, this can damage the motor. Check with a qualified electrician if you have any questions. The following are guidelines only. A good rule of thumb is to use a transformer half again as large as the wattage of the appliance.

Some appliances simply cannot be made to work in the U.K. American clocks or timers, for instance, will lose about four hours each day. American color television sets will not work in the U.K. due to a different color system (German). Black and white televisions can be made to work, but require extensive modifications.

Also, if you brought an American weedwacker with you, use a 115V transformer only. Be careful not to use more than a 50-foot extension cord. Otherwise, the voltage drop will burn it out.

Electric Service

See electricity in phone book for your specific area numbers. Your electric company most likely will let you pay by direct debit, and will give you a discount for doing so. A set payment is then automatically deducted from your bank account each month. Check with your supplier for details.

Furniture Rental

If you are here for several months in an unfurnished house, waiting for your surface shipment to arrive, you may want to consider renting furniture for the time being.

John Strand, 34 - 40 Brunel Road, Westway Estate, London
Web site: www.johnstrand.com

Roomservice Furnishing Group, Chessington, Surrey
Web site: www.roomservicegroup.com

Laundry and Ironing

Clothing will quickly fade unless attention is given to using the correct laundry soap. For colours choose a detergent that says "for Colours" as the others have bleach in them. Your washer and dryer really do take a lot longer than in America. Using a water softener such as Calgon in each wash load helps to protect the machine.

Window Cleaning

Although window cleaning may not have been an issue for you before, it is customary in England to have your windows cleaned every 4 to 6 weeks. The price is reasonable to have it done. The best way to find someone trustworthy is to ask your neighbors for a recommendation.

Household Insurance

Check the phone directory and then check for prices. Be sure to ask whether the policy has special conditions that you must satisfy in order for the insurance to be valid. Some companies request special locks on all windows and doors. Riders must be added if you expect your goods to be insured when you have them away from your residence.

Your Pets

If you have pets you would like to bring to England, be aware that they may have to be quarantined for a period of 6 months. This involves the animal remaining in a kennel for the duration of the quarantine. The owners are allowed to visit, but the animals are not allowed to leave the kennel during this time. For more information on quarantine, visit the web site for British Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food at www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine.

Many people buy pet insurance simply as an insurance against liability if your pet caused an accident or injured someone. Veterinary bills can also be quite expensive.