Winter is coming: increase in calls to the national gas emergency service

  • Cadent predicts increase in calls as people turn central heating on
  • Gas Safety Week plea for gas users to have appliances safety checked
  • 1.6m calls in the last year to the national gas emergency service

Calls to the national gas emergency service are forecast to rise this weekend, as temperatures dip to a level when many people choose to turn on their central heating.

Cadent, which manages the 0800 111 999* service, prepares for an annual upturn in reports of ‘smells of gas’ when temperatures fall below 15C during the day and 10C at night.

Its national call handling centre answers more than 1.6 million calls each year – which equates to one call every 20 seconds – on behalf of the four gas network companies in the UK (Cadent, SGN, Wales and West Utilities and Northern Gas Networks).

Dan Edwards, who manages the centre, said: “We’re here 24/7, 365 days a year, as the national gas emergency service. If people smell gas, or have another gas safety issue, such as suspecting carbon monoxide, we’ll despatch an engineer to make sure everything is safe.

“However, it’s not our job to fix a faulty appliance; we will make it safe, and that can mean switching off the supply. That’s why we strongly advise people to get their appliances checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. We know many people will be turning on their central heating around now, so it’s a perfect time to arrange that.”

The expected annual increase in calls this year comes at the start of Gas Safety Week 2017 (18 to 24 September), the gas industry initiative to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly-maintained gas appliances, including the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Visit Gas Safe’s website to find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area and read these six top tips to staying gas safe.

As well as managing the 0800 service, Cadent runs four of the UK’s eight regional gas distribution networks. Its own engineers work day and night to keep energy flowing to 11 million properties in North West England, the Midlands, East Anglia and North London.

Over the last 12 months (September 2016 to August 2017), Cadent has despatched engineers to 412,589 reported gas escapes in these areas, with regional data as follows:
  • North London: 116,348
  • North West: 99,230
  • East Midlands: 71,040
  • West Midlands: 68,600
  • East Anglia: 57,371
Not all reported escapes turn out to be gas escapes, but Cadent engineers will check every report and ensure everything is safe. In some cases, engineers will find a fault with an appliance and may need to switch off the supply to remove the risk of it causing harm.

For more information on keeping your property gas safe and what to do in a gas emergency visit www.cadentgas.com/emergencies-safety

* Calls to this number are free

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy.  We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change.  Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency.   Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing. 

Future of Gas: Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas industry - 0800 111 999*

Cadent Gas Ltd is owned by a consortium of global investors.

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

Media contacts

Kevin Hegarty

kevin.hegarty@cadentgas.com

07970 694897