Gas safety reminder WALES & West Utilities is reminding people across the local area of the steps to take if they smell gas during the festive season.

If you smell gas or are worried about gas safety, you can call 0800 111 999 at any time, day or night, 365 days a year. The call is free.

Just pick up the phone, dial the number and you will be put through to a trained operator who will take all the details and send an emergency engineer to help you.

All calls to the National Gas Emergency Service are recorded, and may be monitored.

If you smell gas, call free on 0800 111 999 and please take these steps: lTurn off the gas at the meter, unless the meter is located in a cellar or basement - in which case, do not enter.

lIf there is a smell of gas in the cellar or basement, evacuate the building immediately.

lPut out all naked flames, don’t smoke or strike matches.

lTurn off all gas appliances and do not use again until they are checked by the engineer.

lDo not operate any electrical appliances or turn any switches on or off.

lOpen doors and windows to ventilate the property.

lEvacuate the building as soon as you can and keep people away from the area.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank local people for their patience as we continue our multi-million-pound 30-year gas pipe investment programme across Wales and the south west of England.

The year has seen us work to replace more than 400km of old metal gas pipes with new plastic ones to ensure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.

May I wish your readers a safe and Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

CLIVE BOOK

Head of Emergency Service Wales & West Utilities