CUMBRIAN residents tempted to reach for the central heating as autumn temperatures dip are being urged to get their boilers - and other gas appliances - safety checked.
Local gas network Cadent, which manages the national gas emergency service, is geared up for an annual upturn in reports of suspected gas leaks to its call centre.
This generally happens when temperatures fall below 15 degrees during the day and 10 degrees at night.
The number of reported gas escapes in Barrow and Millom area was 206 in November last year, compared to 125 in July this year.
Dan Edwards, who manages the centre, said: "We're here 24/7, 365 days a year, as the national gas emergency service.
"If people smell gas, or have another gas safety issue, such as suspecting carbon monoxide, we'll dispatch an engineer to make sure everything is safe."
If you smell gas, call 0800 111 999. For more information on keeping your property safe and what to do in an emergency visit, www.cadentgas.com/emergencies-safety.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here