Aylesbury public urged to be winter ready

Just 36% of eligible households in Aylesbury Vale have signed up to the register, so the firm - which delivers electricity to 8.3million homes and businesses across the South East, East and London - believes many may be missing out.

Although the local electricity network is built to be resilient, storms, floods and other extreme conditions can damage cables and cause power cuts.

That’s why companies including UK Power Networks have come together to launch the Be Winter Ready campaign with the Energy Networks Association.

To Be Winter Ready:

- Know the free emergency number – in a power cut dial 105 for help and information. There are over 20 other ways to reach us too including twitter

- Prepare your home – keep a torch and the number handy

- Sign up to the Priority Service Register – those eligible include pensioners, anyone disabled or chronically sick, or with a long term medical condition, with a child under five, with a hearing or visual impairment or additional communication needs

- Keep your eyes open – watch the weather forecast and, if you have a power cut, check on your neighbours

Since 1990, network companies have invested £100bn in improving the reliability of local energy networks in the UK. As a result, on average, electricity customers experience a power cut less than once every two years.

Alex Williams, head of the customer contact centre at UK Power Networks, said: “In recent years power cuts have dropped dramatically thanks to our investment in the network. We monitor the weather and have robust plans in place to deal with any damage caused this winter.

“However we want to ensure that if people do have a power cut, they know exactly who to call so that they can get reconnected quickly, and sign up for our register if they are living in vulnerable circumstances.”

To sign up for the Register please see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority, ring 105, or email [email protected].