Are you ready for winter? Know your free emergency numbers

Published November 2, 2017

On Thursday 2nd November the UK’s gas and electricity network companies are launching a campaign to make sure communities right across the UK are ready for winter.

As the nights get colder and darker, the chance of experiencing severe weather becomes more likely. Storms, floods and other extreme conditions can cause damage to the electricity and gas network and disrupt your energy supply.

That’s why the UK’s gas and electricity network companies have come together to launch the Be Winter Ready campaign. The campaign aims to help the public better-prepare for power cuts and gas emergencies that may result from bad winter weather.

To Be Winter Ready, you should:

Know your free emergency numbers – In a power cut dial 105 or, for a gas emergency, dial 0800 111999.
Prepare your home – Keep a torch handy and get your appliances serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Vulnerable households can get extra support by signing up to the Priority Services Register. Contact your gas or electricity network to find out more. Visit www.energynetworks.org to find out who your network operator is.
Keep your eyes open – Keep an eye on the weather forecast and, if you lose your electricity supply or have a gas emergency, check on your neighbours.

In recent years the chances of unscheduled problems with electricity and gas supply have dropped dramatically. Since 1990, network companies have invested £80bn in improving the reliability of local energy networks in the UK. As a result, on average, electricity customers experience a power cut just once every two years and gas distribution customers will have their gas supply interrupted without advance notice just once every 40 years.

Despite this, our gas and electricity grids are at risk from natural events, with severe winter weather potentially causing significant damage. The gas and electricity networks are urging the public to Be Winter Ready. Make sure you’re prepared in case you have a power cut or gas emergency.