- know who to call - find out your electricity network operator by calling 105 for free or visiting the Powercut 105 website. This website also has lots of useful advice about how to prepare for power cuts
- stay alert - watch out for fake callers pretending to be utility company workers
- top up with fuel and cash:
- make sure your car has fuel – you can use it to charge devices
- have some cash on you in case card machines don’t work
Emergency kit
- make an emergency kit - this should include:
- a wind-up torch and radio - no batteries needed
- tinned or dried food and bottled water
- warm clothes and blankets
- charge your devices - keep your phone and power banks fully charged if bad weather is forecast
Vulnerable people
- if you are vulnerable register for priority help. Contact your electricity, gas or water company to join their priority services register:
- Northern Powergrid: call 0800 169 2996 or sign up online for Northern Powergrid's free priority services membership
- Electricity North West: call 0800 195 41 41 or sign up online for SP Electricity North West's free extra care register
- visit the Northern Gas Networks website for advice if you are a priority customer
- let your phone or broadband provider – the company you pay your bill to – know you are vulnerable so you will be prioritised during repair work
Further support
- for up-to-date local power cut information visit the Northern PowerGrid website. Further advice about preparing yourself for a power cut is available on Northern PowerGrid's power cut page. Businesses can get prepared by reading Northern Powergrid's power cut advice for businesses leaflet
- for details of how to get assistance when there's an interruption to your water supply visit the Yorkshire Water website