UK Power Networks is working with the other Electricity Distribution Networks and our trade body, Energy Networks Association, on a new national campaign called Be Winter Ready.
Be Winter Ready aims to encourage people to prepare in case they experience a power cut or gas emergency this winter.
We’re contacting all of our stakeholders to make you aware of the campaign and to ask if you could help share this important information.
Background
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 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.
Whilst the UK’s gas and electricity supply is very reliable, bad winter weather can cause damage and disruption.
Steps you can take to ‘Be Winter Ready’:
• 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.
• Register as a vulnerable customer: Vulnerable households can get extra support by signing up to the Priority Services Register. Click here to find out more about the Priority Services Register in London, the South and East of England or to sign up.
• 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.
Tools to help you spread the word
We have created a great toolkit of assets to communicate this information, including social media posts, a poster and leaflet. The toolkit can be found here. Please share the posts on Facebook and Twitter, on a website, share in a newsletter or print flyers and posters. We’d really appreciate it if you can help us to reach people with this advice.
We are also asking people to sign up to a Thunderclap for 2nd November. It would be great if you can sign up to the Thunderclap to help us reach as many people as possible through social media. Click here and follow the few simple steps https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/63952-be-winter-ready
Thank you in advance for any support you can provide.
Chris Lloyd
UK Power Networks
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