Are you ready for winter?

As the nights get colder and darker, the chances of severe weather increase. Storms, floods and other extreme conditions can cause damage to network infrastructure 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 have a power cut or a gas emergency, check on your neighbours.

In recent years the chances of unplanned problems with electricity and gas supply have reduced 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 have 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 networks can be affected by natural events, with severe winter weather potentially causing significant damage. The gas and electricity network operators are urging the public to Be Winter Ready. Make sure you’re prepared in case you have a power cut or gas emergency.

David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Network Association, said:

“Significant investment in the networks means that power cuts and gas emergencies are not a regular or widespread occurrence. Our gas and electricity networks deliver safe and reliable energy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Investment in resilience measures means power cuts have decreased by 9% over the last year and by over 50% in the last 15 years.

“The networks constantly review the resilience of infrastructure and there are robust plans in place to deal with the damage caused by extreme weather. However, we want customers to know there are things they can do to ‘Be Winter Ready’ and ensure that those customers who do have a power cut or gas emergency know exactly who to call so that they can get reconnected quickly and be as fully prepared as possible.”