Prepare your heating system for winter before it is too late

LOCAL gas network company Cadent is advising residents of Hinckley to be more prepared this winter as this year’s ‘Beast from the East’ saw gas emergency calls soar.

Cadent’s Hinckley contact centre deals with calls from across the country and dispatches engineers to keep people safe from gas leaks and deadly carbon monoxide.

On March 1 staff dealt with a record 42,000 calls from Britain alone - five times as many as usual, according to the firm.

With the thermometer set to drop again this winter, Cadent is issuing advice to residents on how to stay safe and warm and who to call if the worst happens.

Chris Rison, Head of Operations for the East of England, said: “Winter can be very unpredictable. When the Beast from the East hit on March 1, gas emergencies in the Hinckley area more than tripled to 99, compared with just 30 on the same day last year.

“Fortunately we always prepare for the worst but there are things householders can do too to ensure a safe and warm winter.

“Keep the National Gas Emergency Service number - 0800 111 999 - to hand and ring it immediately if you suspect a gas leak or deadly carbon monoxide or lose your gas supply.

“Keep the number of your gas boiler service contract provider, gas supplier or a Gas Safe registered engineer to hand, in case your boiler breaks down.

“But please don’t ring the National Gas Emergency Service - we can’t help and you could block the line for a gas emergency call.”

Other top tips the company are asking residents to consider include; joining the Priority Services Register - where extra help can be given to the elderly, those with a chronic illness, people with mental health issues, dementia and those born deaf, purchasing an audible carbon monoxide alarm and to know the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide, keeping a torch handy in case of power cuts and calling 105 if you do suffer one and keeping an eye on the weather forecast to prepare yourselves in advance.

More advice is also available via the Cadent social media pages.