• National Grid will be working 24/7 over the Christmas period
• Estimated that over 63,000 calls will be made to the National Gas Emergency Service number
• Contact 0800 111 999 to report suspected gas escapes
It’s not just Santa who will be working on Christmas Eve. Whilst many of us are making last minute plans, watching Christmas TV and wrapping presents, National Grid engineers will be working around the clock to make sure our gas supplies are safe over the festive period.
Throughout the year, engineers are on hand day and night to tackle potentially dangerous gas leaks. So, as we fire up our ovens to cook the festive feast and enjoy all the traditional seasonal activities, safety-conscious National Grid is urging people to be extra alert to potential gas leaks over the holidays.
It is estimated that around 63,300 calls will be made to the 24 hour National Gas Emergency Service number - 0800 111 999 - over the holiday period. Last year 4,489 emergency calls were received from the North London region alone.
So, while you're enjoying the Christmas TV specials, here’s an idea of how busy the engineers will be:
- During Doctor Who (1 hour), 179 calls
- Strictly Come Dancing (1 hour 15 minutes), 224 calls
- Downton Abbey (2 hours), 358 calls
National Grid’s Phil Clarke, Head of Operations London Network, Gas Distribution, said: “Our engineers play a vital role at this time of year in making sure homes, shops and business have a safe and reliable gas supply throughout the festive season.
“For us it's business as usual. Our staff will be ready to answer calls and deal with any gas related problems that might arise on Christmas Day just as they would on any other day of the year.”
The call centre team will be responding to calls of gas escapes and dispatching engineers. If you smell gas follow these simple safety steps:
- Call the National Gas Emergency 0800 111 999
- Do not smoke or light matches
- Do not turn electrical switches on or off
- Open doors and windows
- Turn off the meter at the control valve unless the meter is in the cellar
Notes to editors - archive
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and was named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. This accolade acknowledges all of our efforts in getting involve with the things that really matter to us and to society. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.
In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.
National Grid in the UK:
- We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
- We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
- Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
- We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
- National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
- Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.
Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com
National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of the information contained in this release, which speaks only as at the date of this release, unless required by law or regulation.