British Gas has issued urgent advice for households across the UK to prepare for potential power cuts as a major snow storm continues to batter parts of the country.
Met Office Issues Amber Warning for Heavy Snow
The Met Office has placed amber weather warnings for Tuesday, January 6, across central and northern Scotland. The national forecaster warns of a spell of heavy snow moving east, which is expected to bring widespread disruption.
"A spell of heavy snow is expected to move east across central and northern Scotland during Tuesday, clearing to wintry showers during Tuesday night," a Met Office statement said. The warning indicates a medium likelihood and a medium impact, with 5-10 cm of snow expected widely and up to 15 cm in some places, particularly above 200 metres.
The Met Office explicitly warned that "there is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage."
British Gas's Essential Preparedness Checklist
In response to the severe weather forecast, British Gas has urged the public to take immediate steps to ensure their safety and comfort. The energy giant, which competes with firms like OVO, EDF, EON, Scottish Power, and Octopus, published detailed guidance on its website.
The company's top priority is ensuring households have a reliable light source and can maintain communication. "Torches, spare batteries and a back-up charger for mobile phones are all handy," British Gas advised. "You might even consider a battery-powered radio, to keep on top of local updates if you can’t use your mobile."
Beyond lighting, the firm recommends practical steps for food and appliance safety:
- Keep a cupboard stocked with essential foods that can be prepared without electricity.
- Use appliance thermometers for your fridge and freezer to ensure they stay at safe temperatures during an outage (4°C for fridges and -18°C for freezers).
- Freeze leftovers like milk, meat, and poultry to prolong their freshness if the power fails.
Protecting Your Home and Health
British Gas also provided advice on safeguarding valuable electronics and crucial health equipment. The company suggested using power surge plugs for valuable electrical appliances, describing them as relatively inexpensive and widely available at electrical retailers.
For those reliant on technology or medical devices, the guidance is clear: "Keep your computer backed-up regularly, just in case. Make sure any home medical equipment has a battery back-up."
Finally, with temperatures plummeting, the firm advised homeowners to check their boiler pressure before the cold snap deepens. Boilers typically run best at a pressure of around 1 to 1.5 bars, which can be checked via the gauge on the front of the unit.
This comprehensive advice from one of the UK's leading energy suppliers underscores the serious potential impact of the ongoing severe weather and highlights the importance of being prepared for winter emergencies.
