Press and media
Writing about household emergencies, power cuts, storms or the Be Ready campaign? You can quote us, with a link.
Who to quote
Connor Dullaway, founder and editor, Civilian Survival Handbook.
40-word bio: Connor Dullaway runs Civilian Survival Handbook, an independent UK publisher of calm household emergency guides and printable plans. Every guide is checked against GOV.UK, Be Ready, Ofgem, the NHS and the Met Office, dated, and corrected in public.
Quote lines (each with its source)
“Most emergencies a UK home will face are ordinary: a power cut, a burst main, a storm. Three days of water, 3 litres a person a day, covers the common ones.”
Based on: GOV.UK Be Ready“If the power goes in England, Scotland or Wales, ring 105. It's free and it reaches the company that runs your local wires, not your supplier.”
Based on: Powercut 105 (Energy Networks Association)“Keep the fridge shut. Food is usually fine for about 4 hours, and a full freezer stays frozen for about 48.”
Based on: Food Standards Agency“In Great Britain, if your power is off for more than 12 hours in normal weather, Ofgem's rules mean a £100 payment, and most are paid automatically.”
Based on: Ofgem“The grid itself looks secure this winter: NESO forecasts a 5.9 GW surplus. Local power cuts from storms are the realistic risk.”
Based on: NESO Winter Outlook, 23 October 2026“The government's own household plan is free. Writing down where your stopcock is takes a minute and saves panic later.”
Based on: GOV.UK Be Ready household plan
Three plain analogies
- A household plan is like a spare tyre: boring until the day you need it, and then it is the only thing that matters.
- Three days of water is the smoke alarm of home preparedness: cheap, dull and worth having.
- Preparing is not about the end of the world. It is about Tuesday night when the power goes off and the phone is on 8%.
Calm lines for breaking news
- A named storm: “Named storms are about planning, not panic. Check the Met Office warning for your area, charge your phone, write down 105, and check on the neighbour who might need a hand.”
- A big power cut abroad: “Britain's grid is run differently and NESO expects supply to stay secure this winter. The useful lesson is small: a torch, a radio, a power bank and a paper list of numbers.”
- The next stage of Be Ready: “The government's advice is free and sensible: 3 days of water and food, a written plan, and knowing who in your street needs help. Start there; you don't need to buy much.”
Dated story ideas
- 1 Nov 2026 to 31 Mar 2027: Cold Weather Payment season: £25 for each 7-day very cold spell, paid automatically to eligible people. Source
- Storm season 2026/27: The Met Office has named Austen (20 Oct) and Boelo (22 Oct); Chloe was the next name on the list on 28 October. What a named storm means for a household. Source
- By January 2027: The digital landline switch: why a home phone may not work in a power cut, and who should tell their provider. Source
- Any time this winter: What a UK 3-day kit really costs, item by item, from the official Be Ready list. Source
Contact
Email [email protected]. Please cite as “Civilian Survival Handbook” with a link to the page you used.
We are not emergency professionals and we are not part of the government. For official statements, contact the Cabinet Office, the Met Office or your local resilience forum. Facts checked 3 November 2026.
How we review: we read each source on the date shown, say what we did not check, and never show made-up ratings. Found a mistake? We fix it and log it in our corrections log.