Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the North of England’s gas distributor, is kicking off a major awareness initiative ahead of what the company expects to be a tough winter for its customers.

The company, which transports gas to over 2.7 million homes and businesses across the North East, northern Cumbria and much of Yorkshire, is urging domestic and commercial users to be winter aware and follow the mantra of ‘Prepare – Care – Share’ as the cold weather approaches.

• Prepare: Check the batteries in your audible carbon monoxide alarm, get your gas appliances serviced ahead of the colder months and save the National Gas Emergency Service phone number 0800 111 999 into your mobile phone.
• Care: Check on neighbours, family and friends. Encourage anyone eligible to sign up to the Priority Services Register at https://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/network-supply/priority-customers/
• Share: Make sure neighbours, family and friends are aware of the National Gas Emergency Service phone number – 0800 111 999 – and the NGN website address northerngasnetworks.co.uk

As the cost of living crisis deepens, NGN is also focusing on carbon monoxide safety – sending out strong warnings around the dangers of tampering with, or failing to regularly service, gas appliances.

Eileen Brown, NGN’s Customer Experience Director, said: “Being winter-ready is something we encourage every year but there is general acknowledgement that this is likely to be a particularly difficult period, especially for our most vulnerable customers.

“We’re always on had to lend support where it’s needed and to respond quickly to emergencies, but there are a lot of things people can do now, while the weather is still quite mild, to prepare themselves for the colder months.

“We’re asking everyone to follow the three steps of Prepare – Care – Share in order to be as winter ready as possible.

“It’s simple steps – saving the National Gas Emergency Service number into a phone, checking your audible carbon monoxide alarm batteries are working, and getting your gas appliances serviced – that are so important, and that we can all take to stay safe this winter.

“Encouraging family or friends who may be eligible to join the Priority Services Register, is another step towards ensuring customers who need that extra support can be prioritised if there is any interruption to their gas supply.”

By replacing 565km of ageing metal gas mains with new pipes last year, NGN is ensuring that the network is in the best shape possible to keep the gas flowing. However, engineers were still called on to nearly 68,000 emergency call-outs last year.

In addition to Prepare, Care, Share, there are a number of specific steps people can take to keep safe and warm during the winter months:

• If you smell gas in your home or in the street, or suspect that there might be carbon monoxide present, call the 24/7 freephone National Gas Emergency Service number on 0800 111 999 straight away
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast and if you have a loss of gas supply, contact the NGN Customer Care Team on0800 040 7766.
• Never cancel or postpone a gas appliance service

Customers who think they could benefit from extra support if they have an interruption to their gas supply at home, can sign up for the free Priority Services Register.

By signing up to the Register, they will be seen as a priority customer in the event of a loss of supply. The Register is aimed at customers who are of pensionable age, have long-terms health or mental health conditions or parents with children under five. Registration is quick and easy by following the steps at https://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/network-supply/priority-customers/

For all cold weather advice and information, go to https://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/network-supply/winter-ready/