The new figures have been released to coincide with Be Winter Ready Day – a new initiative run by the region’s power network operator Electricity North West and Cadent the gas distribution company for the region which aims to help the public be better prepared if they have a power cut or gas emergency this winter.

The survey found that 60 percent of people in the North West think the reliability of the gas and electricity networks means they do not have to prepare for winter as much as they used to. Also, 46 percent do not keep a torch in their house in case of a power cut, and more than two thirds (67 percent) don’t take steps to get their boiler serviced in advance of winter.

Furthermore, 26 percent of North West residents admit they are not prepared for winter, with only 17 percent saying they prepare themselves for winter by finding out who to contact if their gas or electricity goes off.

Mark Williamson, operations director for Electricity North West, said: “We are extremely proud of the hard work and our commitment in delivering the very best service and reliability for all our customers across the North West.

“We have invested more than £140m in upgrading and maintaining the power network over the past year, but unfortunately power cuts may still happen due to severe weather, as we witnessed on a huge scale with Storm Desmond in 2015 or more recently and to a lesser extent ex-hurricane Ophelia in October.

“Thankfully for most people power cuts are very rare and in our recently published Business Plan Commitments report figures show that network reliability is the best it’s ever been – with 30% fewer customers having power cuts last year compared to 2012.

“However severe weather can still cause damage on the network which is why we are proud to be supporting the first national ‘Be Winter Ready’ day to help ensure our customers know what to do and that we are on hand if they need us.”

John Duckworth, Cadent head of operations for the North West, said: “All through the year Cadent is checking and maintaining 34,000km of pipes and other gas infrastructure under your feet in the North West, ensuring a safe and extremely reliable gas supply, when you need it, for cooking and heating your homes.

“But your gas supply only stays this reliable if you’ve also maintained what’s inside your house, which you get with an annual service of your boiler and gas appliances. It’s incredible that so many people are taking such risks – not only the risk of losing their gas supply but with the safety of themselves and their families. An annual gas safety check, especially now, as winter nears, is so important.

“Always remember too, if you smell gas, call our emergency number immediately – 0800 111 999 – and we’ll make sure everything is safe.”

People in the North West are urged to follow these three steps to Be Winter Ready:

• Know your free emergency numbers - in a power cut dial 105 or, for a gas emergency, dial 0800 111 999.
• Prepare your home - keep a torch handy and get your appliances serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Vulnerable households can get extra support by signing up to the Priority Services Register. Contact your gas or electricity network to find out more. Visit www.energynetworks.org to find out who your network operator is.
• Keep your eyes open - keep an eye on the weather forecast and, if you have a power cut or a gas emergency, check on your neighbours.

On the rare occasion power is interrupted or a gas emergency happens, our energy networks have engineers working around the clock to restore supplies safely and as quickly as possible, keeping customers regularly updated on the progress. It has never been easier to contact your gas or electricity network companies any time of the day or night for information and advice.