29 Oct 2026
Councils, charities, housing providers, health organisations and local services are often the most trusted link between rural households and the help they need.
As winter approaches, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) is asking Rural Services Network members to help share practical safety and support advice with the communities they serve.
NGN’s ‘Prepare today, Safer tomorrow.’ campaign encourages people to take simple steps to keep their homes and families safe and warm. For people in rural areas, further from friends, family and local services, being prepared can make a real difference.
Key safety messages to share
- Get appliances checked: boilers and gas appliances should be serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Spot the warning signs: sooty marks, flames burning yellow or orange and pilot lights going out can all mean an appliance may not be working safely.
- Fit an alarm: carbon monoxide cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, so every home should have a regularly tested carbon monoxide alarm. This matters wherever fuel is burned, including oil, LPG, coal and wood.
- Know the symptoms: carbon monoxide poisoning can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapse and unconsciousness.
- Act fast: if smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide get into fresh air and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. If you smell gas, do not vape, light a naked flame or use electrical switches or appliances that could cause a spark.
Helping people access extra support
The free Priority Services Register gives extra help to people who may need more support if their gas, water or electricity supply is ever affected.
People can sign up for many reasons, including being medically dependent on energy or water, being of pensionable age, having children aged five or under, or having mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments.
Frontline staff such as care workers, housing officers, health professionals and advice workers are ideally placed to encourage people to sign up.
How your organisation can help
- Download NGN’s free partner pack from its campaign page. It includes leaflets, posters, newsletter/web copy and display screen graphics to share on your channels from 2 November
- Share NGN’s social media post.
- Include gas safety and carbon monoxide advice during home visits, welfare checks and customer conversations.
- Encourage residents, tenants, patients and service users who may need extra help take a minute to join the Priority Services Register.
- Display safety information in community spaces such as village halls, libraries, GP surgeries, pharmacies and community hubs.
Investing in a safe and resilient network
NGN invests year-round to keep gas flowing safely and reliably to 2.9 million homes and businesses, now and for years to come. By working with partners who know their communities best, NGN can help make sure everyone, wherever they live, has the information and support they need this winter.
More information
Visit Northern Gas Networks’ website for gas and carbon monoxide safety advice, energy saving tips and to sign up for extra support.
