Four of Northern Ireland's leading utility companies are collaborating to help the public stay connected and prepared this winter.

Phoenix Energy, NI Water, NIE Networks, and Openreach are working together to remind homes and businesses of the proactive steps they can take to prepare for the coming months.

Kailash Chada, Chief Executive Officer at Phoenix Energy, emphasised the importance of preparedness: "As utility providers, we understand how vital our services are to the everyday lives and livelihoods of our customers. Winter weather can be unpredictable and challenging, often leading to disruptions that impact homes and businesses alike. We're focused on helping our customers stay prepared and informed, especially during periods of severe conditions."

The joint campaign highlights simple actions that customers can take now to mitigate the impact of service interruptions:

• Keep a working torch with spare batteries. • Know how to turn off your water supply to prevent flood damage.

• Ensure your boiler is serviced annually.

Mr Chada added: "While we can't control the weather, we can help people be ready for it... Our dedicated teams are on call 24/7, working hard to keep our networks running. If a disruption happens, our engineers will be on the ground as soon as it's safe, working to restore service as quickly as possible."

Emergency Contact Information

In the case of any faults or emergencies, the public is advised to contact the relevant providers directly:

• NI Gas Emergency Service: 0800 002 001

• Openreach: 08000 23 20 23 or visit openreach.co.uk

• NI Water: 03457 44 00 88 or visit niwater.com

• NIE Networks: 03457 643 643 or visit nienetworks.co.uk