CARERS DIRECTORY

Gas

Emergencies

If you smell gas or are worried that there may be a gas leak, switch off all gas appliances and telephone the emergency number. (This is the number for Transco who deal with all gas emergencies regardless of who you are buying your gas from.

( 0800 111 999 Emergency Calls

Automated meter reading service

This service is available 24 hours a day and enables you to inform British Gas of your meter reading.

( 0845 609 1144

Bills

If you are finding it difficult to pay the gas bill, there are various payment schemes which may help. You may find it useful to read the booklet called, Our Commitment to Older or Disabled Customers, available from Customer Care - address on the next page.

Gas Care Service

This is a service for older, disabled or chronically sick customers.

The Gas Care services include:

· A Password scheme

· Specially designed appliance controls for customers with hand disabilities or visual impairment

· Advice booklets

· Cassette tapes for visually impaired customers

· Talking bill service

· Free gas safety check, if you request one

· Visit from a customer service adviser to give advice, on request

· Priority attention when you enquire on general gas supply matters

· Moving your gas meter will be considered in special circumstances

· Gas Care News – a newspaper for Gas Care customers

· Quarterly reading of your meter – if no one else in the household can read the meter

If you want to apply to be on the Gas Care Register you can ring the number below or you can write and request an application form from the address below.

Safety Checks

Free gas safety checks are available for people over 60 years of age who live alone or who live with other people who are also over 60, or for people with disabilities. Contact Customer Care for details. They can also advise about purchasing gas and carbon monoxide alarms.

Customer Care

* British Gas

Gould Street

MANCHESTER M4 4DJ

( (0845) 600 5122

( (0845) 600 8500 Minicom

See also Warmth for information about insulation grants and cold weather payments. See Warmth for information about the code of practice on disconnection.