www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8170895/Britons-told-prepare-blackouts-keeping-torches-warm-clothes-nearby-coronavirus-crisis.html
Britons have been warned of the potential for blackouts amid growing fears that staff shortages could lead to issues with the country's power network.
Fears are growing that high levels of staff sickness during the coronavirus outbreak, mixed with the government's self-isolation rules, could lead to a shortage of engineers.
The National Grid insists that the network is able to cope.
But one electrical infrastructure firm has now written to some of its most vulnerable customers warning them to keep torches and warm clothes nearby in case of power cuts.
UK Power Networks, which owns and maintains the electricity cables in the South East and East of England, as well as London, has written to priority customers, including pensioners and those with young children, telling them what to do if their homes are hit with a power cut.
The advice, reported in The Daily Telegraph today, includes 'keeping a torch handy' and 'reducing heat loss by closing doors on unused rooms'.
Customers are also advised to have a 'hat, gloves and a blanket to hand to keep warm' and, where possible, to keep a corded telephone in the house, as well as a power bank to recharge mobile phones.
The advice comes as many electricity firms across the UK put non-essential infrastructure work on hold.
Companies have also implemented emergency strategies to deal with the knock-on effects of Covid-19, which has infected more than 20,000 people in the UK.
So far, 1,408 people have died as a result of the virus.
Other electricity distributors across the UK are also reportedly contacting the most vulnerable.
The energy firms are also ensuring staff can continue to work on essential projects while still abiding by the government's social distancing rules.
However a boss of one firm, SP Energy Networks, which operates in parts of Scotland, the North West and North Wales, said that staff sickness was a particular concern.
Concern was also raised about the length of time that the government's social distancing guidance could be in place for.
(also www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/30/keep-torch-handy-case-power-cuts-coronavirus-lockdown-households/)