Frequently Asked Questions
About Slightly Anxious:
Q: What is Slightly Anxious?
Slightly Anxious is a UK emergency preparedness brand with a difference. We believe that preparing for a crisis should feel empowering, not terrifying. Our aim is to help you turn any emergency situation into a manageable adventure — something closer to an indoor camping holiday than a catastrophe. We're not doomsday preppers; we're practical optimists.
Q: How is Slightly Anxious different from other prepper websites?
Most prepping content is aimed at people expecting civilisation to collapse, a zombie apocalypse, or a nuclear war. We take a very different view. We think the most likely emergency you'll face is up to a week at home without mains electricity, gas, or water — a serious inconvenience, but absolutely survivable with the right preparation. Our products and advice are designed for real British households, not bunker dwellers.
Q: Am I really at risk of an emergency?
Yes — and the risk is growing. One in four UK properties is currently at some flood risk. Power blackout scenarios are increasingly credible as the National Grid ages and demand rises. Wildfires are increasing at an unprecedented rate according to the London Fire Commissioner. Global geopolitical instability adds further uncertainty. Emergency preparedness is no longer paranoia — it's common sense.
Getting Prepared:
Q: Where should I start?
Read our article ‘Why You’re Right to Be Slightly Anxious’ and then ‘The Complete UK Household Emergency Preparedness Guide’. Between them, they’ll give you a full picture of what risks you face and what to do about them. Then the single most impactful thing you can do immediately is assemble a Grab Bag.
Q: What is a Grab Bag and do I really need one?
A Grab Bag is a pre-packed bag that lets you leave your home at a moment’s notice with everything you need. It’s essential for evacuation scenarios like flooding or a wildfire. It should contain copies of key documents, water, food, first aid supplies, cash, a phone charger, a torch, and warm clothing. Without one, you risk leaving in a panic with nothing. With one, you leave calmly and safely.
Q: How long should I prepare to be without utilities?
We plan for up to one week without mains electricity, gas, or water. This is our working scenario for most emergencies — it covers the vast majority of realistic crisis situations in the UK while remaining achievable for an ordinary household. If things resolve sooner, great. If they last longer, the skills and supplies you’ve built up will still serve you well.
Q: How much does it cost to get prepared?
You don’t need to spend a fortune. Start with the basics: a supply of water, some long-life food, a torch, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, and a first aid kit. Build your emergency store gradually over time. Our articles will guide you toward the most cost-effective choices for each area of preparedness, and our product range is designed with value in mind.
Water & Food
Q: How much water should I store?
A bare minimum of two to three litres per person per day is what is required for keeping hydrated, stored in food-grade containers. Its at least ten litres a day if you add much needed water for cooking, washing, and toilet flushing as well as drinking. For a week this is a considerable amount of water! Water purification tablets or a quality filter are also worth having as a backup. Know where your stopcock is so you can fill up before a supply cut is confirmed. Read our article 'What to do when the water is turned off'.
Q: What food should I stock?
Focus on tinned, dried, and long-life foods that require minimal cooking and no refrigeration. Think tinned fish, pulses, pasta, rice, tinned vegetables, and long-life milk. Our Curated Meals range is specifically developed to be nutritious, easy to prepare on a camping stove, and genuinely enjoyable to eat. Good food is critical for morale as much as nutrition in a crisis situation.
Q: Can I cook without mains gas or electricity?
Absolutely. A camping stove with a supply of fuel canisters is the most practical solution for most households. There are also solid-fuel options and solar cookers for longer-term scenarios. One critical safety rule: never use a gas camping stove indoors without adequate ventilation — carbon monoxide is a serious risk. Our 'Kitchen in a Crisis' article covers all of this in detail.
Power & Utilities
Q: What do I do when the power goes out?
First, check whether it’s just your property or a wider outage (your fuse box, then neighbours). For a short cut, most households can manage with torches and battery devices. For a longer outage, a portable power station is one of the best single investments you can make — it can power lighting, charge phones, and run small appliances for hours. Register with your electricity provider if you or anyone in your household depends on powered medical equipment. Read our article 'What to do when the power goes out'.
Q: How do I keep the lights on without electricity?
Layer your lighting solutions. For immediate use: a head torch kept on your bedside table. For short-term: battery-powered LED lanterns, which are safer and more practical than candles. For sustained outages: solar-charged lights that recharge during the day. Having multiple redundant options is safer than relying on a single solution. Read our article 'What to do when the lights go out'.
Q: How do I keep warm if the heating fails?
Thermal layering is your first line of defence — multiple thin layers trap more heat than one thick one. Sleeping bags rated for cold conditions are invaluable. Portable propane heaters can warm a room effectively but must only be used with proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide build-up. In summer, the challenge reverses: battery-powered fans and keeping curtains closed during the day are your best tools. Read our article 'What do do when the heating stops'.
Flooding & Fire
Q: How do I know if my property is at flood risk?
Check your postcode on the Flood Assist website (floodassist.co.uk) for a free flood risk report and live flood warnings. The government’s own flood warning service is also available online. One in four UK properties is currently at some risk, rising to one in three by 2050. Don’t wait until a warning is issued to find out — do it now. Read our article 'Slightly Anxious about rising water levels'.
Q: What should I do if flooding threatens my home?
If a flood warning is issued: grab your pre-packed Grab Bag immediately and evacuate before water levels rise. Do not attempt to drive through floodwater — even shallow water can float a car. If evacuation isn’t possible, move to an upper floor and call 999. Never re-enter a flooded property until it has been declared safe by the authorities. Read our article 'Slightly Anxious about rising water levels'.
Q: Are wildfires really a risk in the UK?
Yes, and a growing one. The London Fire Commissioner confirmed in May 2026 that wildfire numbers are increasing at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is increasing the frequency and geography of UK wildfires. Unlike house fires, wildfires can move fast and give little warning. If you live near open land, heathland, or forestry, include wildfire in your emergency planning and make sure your Grab Bag is always ready. Read our article 'Slightly Anxious about approaching flames'.
Communication & Information
Q: How do I stay informed if the internet and TV go down?
A battery-powered or wind-up DAB/FM radio is essential — it’s the most resilient way to receive official emergency broadcasts. Keep one charged and accessible at all times. BBC Radio 4 is the designated national emergency broadcaster in the UK. Download your local council’s emergency app if one exists. Read our article 'How to keep informed and keep talking'.
Q: How do I communicate with my family during a crisis?
Agree a family communication plan before any crisis occurs. Decide on a meeting point, an out-of-area contact everyone can reach, and designate who is responsible for each family member including children, elderly relatives, and pets. Walkie-talkies are useful for short-range local communication. Print out key phone numbers — don’t rely solely on your phone’s address book. Read our article 'How to keep informed and keep talking'.
Pets, Finances & Other Practicalities
Q: What about my pets?
62% of UK households own pets, yet most emergency guides barely mention them. Prepare a pet-specific Grab Bag with food, water, medication, and comfort items. Designate a household ‘pet squad leader’ responsible for animal welfare during a crisis. Be aware that many emergency shelters do not accept animals, so plan for where you would take your pets if you had to evacuate. Read our article 'Looking after your pets in an emergency'.
Q: Do I need to keep cash at home?
Yes. If there is a power outage, electronic payment systems — card machines, online banking, ATMs — may stop working. Physical cash in small denominations is the only reliable backup. We recommend keeping a modest emergency cash supply at home as part of your general emergency store. How much is a personal decision, but enough for a week of essential purchases is a sensible guide. Read our article 'Its all about the kerching kerching'.
Q: Should I check my insurance policy?
Absolutely, and do it before you need it. Most standard home insurance policies have specific provisions and exclusions for flooding, fire, and civil disorder that many policyholders have never read. Check whether you are covered for alternative accommodation if you are forced to evacuate, what the claims process is, and whether there are any time-sensitive actions you need to take immediately after an event. Read our article 'Its all about the kerching kerching'.
Q: How do I manage hygiene without running water?
Prioritise handwashing above all else — it is the single most effective way to prevent secondary illness. Use bottled water, wet wipes, and hand sanitiser to maintain standards with very limited supply. For toilet hygiene, a chemical or composting toilet may become necessary for extended outages. Our 'Hygiene is Everything' article goes through everything in detail, including products we recommend.
Q: How do I do laundry without a washing machine?
In a short crisis, the honest answer is: you probably won’t need to. Prioritise hygiene over cleanliness. For longer situations, manual laundering in a bucket with a small amount of biodegradable detergent and a scrubbing board will get clothes clean enough. Set realistic expectations: they won’t come out spotless, but they’ll be hygienic. Read our article 'Doing laundry during a crisis'.
Q: Can I have a drink during a crisis?
We’re not here to lecture anyone. A drink can genuinely boost morale and help make a difficult situation feel more like an adventure. Our practical advice: spirits store best long-term; avoid alcohol if you may need to drive or make urgent decisions; never drink to the point of impaired judgement; and make sure hydration with water comes first. Our article ‘What to Drink in an Emergency’ covers this with the lightness of touch it deserves.
Using Slightly Anxious
Q: Why are there no prices?
At Slightly Anxious we offer around c.350 products that are sold by Amazon. We are an affiliate only, so we direct you to the relevant Amazon page and if you purchase, we get a small commission. The whole transaction is managed by Amazon. We do this because when we were setting up Slightly Anxious we realised that only if we carried an enormous amount of stock, I'm talking warehouse amounts, could we start to offer prices that could compete with Amazon. One of our rules is that we do not rip off our customers. We suggest products you should buy to enhance your disaster preparedness, we provide choices, its up to you which one you buy - do read the Amazon reviews - and you buy them through Amazon and they deliver. As you will see with Amazon, their prices changes regularly and they can heavily discount items. It would cost us the equivalent of one arm and one leg to constantly monitor Amazon prices and reflect them on this website just to direct you to the Amazon website for you to purchase. Its just easier for you to see the current price on the Amazon website. We do mention prices in our articles but those prices are the undiscounted ones found at the time of writing so they should be considered a guide as rough as the average pirate's treasure map!
Q. What prices do you show?
There are four items that we do publish prices for as these are the items that you buy directly from us. The first is the Slightly Anxious Membership which provides you with a long list of benefits that can be found on the Members page. Then there is the recipe book of curated meals that will make eating from tins a delight and culinary journey which can be found here. Finally, there is your Emergency Plan, which is two items: the first is your emergency guide that provides you with practically everything you need to know about surviving an emergency with invaluable advice about what to do. Then there is your emergency plan which is where you provide us with all the vital information you need and we will send it to you as a laminated folder so that regardless of what depredations you are suffering, the information you need will always be at hand.
Q. How do I upload my Slightly Anxious Emergency Guide in the .epub format to my Kindle Reader?
Log in to Amazon on your PC or phone. Go to https://www.amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle and add the file and Amazon will process the file into its own format and you will find it in your Kindle library.
Q. How do I upload my Slightly Anxious Emergency Guide in the .epub format to another form of E-reader?
We suggest you search for instructions on Google or Youtube
Q. What is I have any questions or complaints?
We are here to communicate with you with whatever you have to say so do please contact us at: hello@SlightlyAnxious.com