Oxford was particularly bad for them. We always had candles and a fondue set on hand. The fondue set was perfectly good for frying food and boiling water, as well as providing heat at the same time.
I recall I was explaining to a very cute, but crackers girl, that I did not want a relationship with her when we had a power outage. We were out of stuff, so I went to the shop for some. She came with me to save her from being in the cold dark house alone. We cut through the scary wood, with her next to me to feel safe. Same on the way back. She then started cooking food around the fondue set by candle light while we cuddled together for warmth. At this point I accept that fate was conspiriing against me and I was going into a relationship. It lasted three months. She was crackers.