Latest News

How to keep your BBQ fun, delicious and risk-free.

With the potential for warmer summer days heading our way, there’s no better time to gather friends and family for a BBQ.

While firing up the grill is a brilliant way to enjoy the great outdoors, it’s vital to keep safety at the forefront – especially when it comes to the invisible threat of Carbon Monoxide (CO).

Why BBQ Safety Matters

Every year, BBQs can cause incidents that could easily be avoided by following some simple guidelines.

CO is a colourless, odourless gas that can be fatal, and BBQs can continue to emit it even after they’ve cooled down.

That’s why Northern Gas Networks is urging everyone to only BBQ in open, well-ventilated spaces and to be aware of the risks.

BBQ safety checklist

• Always BBQ outdoors in an open space – never indoors or in enclosed areas like tents or awnings.
• Keep your BBQ in a well-ventilated spot, even after you’ve finished cooking, as they can give off CO when extinguished and cold.
• If you’re using a gas BBQ for the first time this season, check all equipment thoroughly. Ensure hoses are secure and undamaged.
• Only use and change gas canisters outdoors. Make sure the supply is turned off properly before changing canisters and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Keep BBQs well away from tents, sleeping areas, and anything flammable.

Recognising Carbon Monoxide poisoning

CO poisoning can happen quickly and the symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses. That’s why it’s important to be alert for:

• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Breathlessness
• Dizziness
• Collapsing
• Loss of consciousness

Know what to do if you suspect CO poisoning from your BBQ or outdoor cooking device.

It’s important to act quickly.

1. Evacuate everyone from the area and move into the fresh air. (If it’s a gas-fired BBQ, switch it off).
2. Seek urgent medical attention, even if symptoms seem mild.
3. Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 for expert advice – they’re available 24/7, every day of the year.

Tips for a happy and safe BBQ

• Check your BBQ and gas equipment regularly, especially at the start of the season.
• Supervise children and pets around the BBQ at all times.
• Never leave a lit BBQ unattended.
• Dispose of ashes and coals safely, ensuring they are fully cooled and kept away from combustible materials. Don’t not store away your BBQ until it is fully cooled.

By following these vital BBQ safety tips, you can ensure your gatherings are memorable for all the right reasons.

Check out our Carbon Monoxide advice to ensure you know what to do.

Let’s keep our Bank Holidays, weekends, and summer celebrations safe and enjoyable for everyone!

We’re reminding people to be aware of Carbon Monoxide risks if you’re planning to break out your BBQ over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Ensuring safety is top of the menu is vital when it comes to enjoying outdoor cooking.

With warmer weather encouraging families and friends to gather in gardens and outdoor spaces, the risks associated with BBQs – particularly Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning – can easily be overlooked.

CO is a colourless, odourless gas that can be fatal, and BBQs can emit it even after they’ve gone out and cooled down. It’s vital that everyone BBQs in open, well-ventilated areas.

Our Social Strategy Programme Manager, Laura Ratcliffe, said: “With the chance of sunnier weather in the months ahead we want people to be able to enjoy it safely.

“If anyone is planning to BBQ this Bank Holiday it’s vital to keep BBQs and woodfire cooking devices outside and in a well-ventilated area.  Never bring them into your home or cook in an enclosed area.

“Also, if you’re giving your gas fired BBQ its first sizzle of the season, make sure you check it before use and follow manufacturer’s instructions.”

We’re urging people to follow the BBQ Safety Checklist

• Never bring a BBQ inside your home, tent, awning, or any enclosed area.
• Remember that BBQs and outdoor cooking equipment can emit CO even after extinguishing and once cold to the touch.
• Always use your BBQ in an open space with plenty of ventilation, keeping it well away from tents and sleeping areas.

If Using LPG/Bottle Gas BBQs

• Check your equipment before use. Ensure everything is in good working order, hoses are securely attached and undamaged.
• Only use and change gas canisters in an open, well-ventilated area. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and turn off the supply properly before changing canisters.

We’re also reminding people to stay alert to the signs of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning which can include headaches, feeling sick, breathlessness and dizziness.

It’s important to know what to do if you suspect CO poisoning from any outdoor cooking equipment or internal gas appliances in your home:

• Open all windows and doors immediately if suspect it’s caused by an internal gas appliance.
• Go outside into the fresh air straight away.
• Seek urgent medical attention.
• Call 0800 111 999 – the free National Gas Emergency Service.

A team of trained advisors at the National Gas Emergency Service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As part of this free service, they will guide callers through the steps to take, arrange for an emergency engineer visit, and carry out a full safety check, making the situation safe and offering expert advice.

Check out our free Carbon Monoxide advice.

We’re carrying out essential work in Cowling to replace ageing metal pipework with new, more durable plastic pipes. This work will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers, keeping homes and businesses safe, warm and connected.

The project to replace the gas main on Keighley Road (A6038) is expected to last 12 weeks and was planned in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council.

Work Details

So that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect the public, some temporary traffic management measures will be put in place.

From Monday 11th May 2026, two-way temporary lights will be introduced on Keighley Road, near the junction of Colne Road. These will then alternate between two and three-way lights as work progresses towards the village of Cowling. They will also be manned from 07:00 till 19:00, to help ease traffic congestion.

Chris Green, Business Operations Lead at Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise to customers in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. However, it’s vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Cowling.”

For further information about the work please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.

Smell Gas or Suspect Carbon Monoxide?

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

At Northern Gas Networks, building a skilled and diverse workforce starts long before someone submits an application. That’s why we were proud to have attended the Smart Works Leeds Women Into Work Jobs Fair, held on 30 April 2026 at Leeds Beckett Student Union.

This is part of our wider commitment in supporting our local community in the North of England. These events aren’t always about filling vacancies on the day. They provide an opportunity to share who Northern Gas Networks is, showcase our values, and offer guidance to people exploring new career paths. In particular, we’re highlighting career opportunities for everyone in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Attending Smart Works Leeds Careers Fair.

This year, alongside a larger generalist fair planned for later in the year, we attended a women‑only event hosted by Smart Works Leeds. With more than 225 women attending their previous fair, the event demonstrated the real impact community‑focused initiatives can have in helping women build confidence and access opportunity.

Throughout the day, our team spoke with attendees about:

• Careers at Northern Gas Networks
• What we look for in applicants
• How to apply for current and future opportunities
• Routes into the energy sector and women in STEM roles
• The work we do and the positive impact we have across the communities we serve

Opportunities for Everyone.

While the event had a strong focus on supporting women in the workplace, we actively encouraged applications from people of all genders, reflecting our commitment to an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Claire Allcock,  our HR Director, said:

“Events like this are vital because they give us the chance to speak directly with people at all stages of their career journey.

We’re committed to increasing representation across our workforce and supporting women into STEM‑related roles, but just as importantly, we want to be open and approachable, sharing who we are, what we do, and how people can build a future with Northern Gas Networks.”

For anyone who is beginning to explore their next step, further information on careers at Northern Gas Networks, current vacancies and development pathways can be found on our careers website.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributor for the North of England, is carrying out essential work in Hartlepool to replace the ageing metal pipework with new, more durable plastic pipes.

This work will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in Hartlepool, keeping homes and businesses safe, warm and connected.

The project, which is expected to finish around the start of June, has been planned in collaboration with Hartlepool Borough Council. So that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect members of the public, some traffic management measures have been put in place.

From Wednesday 6 May, lane closures will be in place on the A689/Stockton Road between number 815 Stockton Road and the Owton Manor roundabout. This section of the work will last around two weeks, before the final section take place on the roundabout itself. Lane closures will be in place on the roundabout until the end of the work.

Steven Storey, Site Manager for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. However, it is vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Hartlepool.”

Emma Holman, Sustainability Reporting Lead at NGN, said: “Gas leakage accounts for 90% of NGN’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as our gas is predominantly methane, a potent greenhouse gas. We are reducing our gas leakage by replacing aged, leak prone metallic gas pipes with new, robust plastic pipes. This is part of a 30 year programme extending to 2032.

“Pipe replacement projects such as this one support NGN’s target to reduce total emissions by 45% between 2018 and 2030. Our annual gas leakage has reduced by 31% from 2018 to 2025. This has allowed us to save approximately 430,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).”

For further information about the work please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributor for the North of England, is to carry out essential work in Ponteland, Newcastle to replace the ageing metal pipework with new, more durable plastic pipes.

This work will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in Newcastle, keeping homes and businesses safe, warm and connected.

The project, which is expected to last until around the end of September, has been planned in collaboration with Newcastle City Council. So that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect members of the public, some traffic management measures will be put in place.

From Monday 11 May, temporary traffic lights will in place on Ponteland Road, starting on Cheviot View/A696 outside Ponteland Private Nursery. Throughout the work, the lights will move south, ending at Prestwick Road End roundabout. To minimise disruption, these lights will be manned from 7am-7pm.

Dan Hind, Operations Lead for Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. However, it is vital we complete them to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents and business owners of Ponteland.

“Shops and businesses in the area will remain open as usual and we will be working hard to complete this essential project as safely and as quickly as possible.

“We’re conscious that this work is taking place close to Newcastle International Airport, so ask people travelling to the airport to allow for more time for their journeys.”

Emma Holman, Sustainability Reporting Lead at NGN, said: “Gas leakage accounts for 90% of NGN’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as our gas is predominantly methane, a potent greenhouse gas. We are reducing our gas leakage by replacing aged, leak prone metallic gas pipes with new, robust plastic pipes. This is part of a 30 year programme extending to 2032.

“Pipe replacement projects such as this one support NGN’s target to reduce total emissions by 45% between 2018 and 2030. Our annual gas leakage has reduced by 31% from 2018 to 2025. This has allowed us to save approximately 430,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).”

For further information about the work please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the gas distributor for the North of England, is carrying out essential work in Leeds to replace the ageing metal pipework with new, more durable plastic pipes.

This work will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in Leeds, keeping homes and businesses safe, warm and connected.

The project, which began in January and is expected to last until around the middle of July, has been planned in collaboration with Leeds City Council. So that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect the public, some traffic management measures have been put in place.

Temporary two-way traffic lights are already in place on the A64/York Road, starting at the junction with Stockheld Lane – next to Leeds Caravan Centre. In addition to this, from Tuesday 5 May, a second set of temporary lights will be in place around a mile further east on the A64/York Road.

The lights will be in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the work. They will be manned during peak times (7am-7pm) to minimise disruption.

All traffic management has been clearly signposted for motorists, and advance warning signs are in place advising people to allow extra time for travel.

Matt Purssell, Site Manager at Northern Gas Networks, said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during these essential works, which we appreciate are taking place in a busy location. However, it’s vital we complete them to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Leeds.

“We’ve worked very closely with Leeds City Council to minimise disruption, and there will be a team on site ensuring the lights are manned during peak periods.”

For further information about the work please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University (HEYCU) are marking 10 years of supporting thousands of children to access life-changing experiences, opening doors for their futures and breaking down barriers.

NGN’s highly resilient network delivers gas to 2.9 million homes and businesses across the North of England, including Hull and the surrounding area.

HEYCU works with more than 10,000 primary school children in the Hull area each year, Many of the pupils  have a minimum of 50% of their intake classed as growing up in poverty – with some having up to 98%.

NGN has been one of the charity’s partners since 2015 and has helped the charity to grow to reach more children.

Unforgettable events

Jointly organised events have included…

• Unforgettable trips to London
• Receiving gifts at ‘Breakfast with Santa’
• Outdoor ‘NGN Futures’ sessions at Hull University’s botanical gardens

NGN funding also allowed HEYCU to get a ‘Reading Van’ on the road. This was a camper van offering a quiet space for meaningful reading interventions across Hull.

Many of the children do not have the opportunity to leave their local area. So HEYCU, supported by NGN, have organised several trips to London where the children stay overnight on HMS Belfast. They learned about London’s history and visited 10 Downing Street, Tower of London and the Natural History Museum.

Raising aspirations and building confidence

Sarah Brodie, Head of Development at HEYCU, said: “Over the past ten years, our partnership with NGN has opened doors for children and families across Hull and the surrounding area.

“Together, we have supported thousands of young people through inspiring experiences, targeted interventions and future-focused learning opportunities.

“These are designed to raise aspirations, build confidence and strengthen engagement with education.

“This long-standing collaboration has consistently focused on removing barriers and creating opportunities for those who need them most.

“Many thousands of children have benefitted from NGN’s support. Every volunteer has acted as a positive role model encouraging the children to be more aspirational, confident and engaged in their learning. We can’t thank them enough for their input.”

Claire Allcock, HR Director at NGN, said: “Giving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have access to is a vital part of our inclusion activity.

“The partnership – powered by the time and commitment of our colleagues – has helped young people build confidence and raise aspirations.

“We embed inclusion in everything we do, aiming to drive meaningful and lasting change. The impact this partnership has made on the lives of thousands of young people is a terrific example of that.”

Rewarding volunteering

Jason Willis, Commercial Finance Analyst at NGN, helped supervise a group from Mountbatten Primary School in Hull on a trip to London.

He said: “It’s so important that these children have the opportunity to experience trips like this. It was such a rewarding two days for the children and the volunteers, and I can’t recommend the benefits of volunteering enough.”

In 2025 alone, NGN colleagues volunteered a total of 1,916 hours to HEYCU. They are one of the many organisations who benefit from NGN colleagues volunteering their time.

Find out more about HEYCU’s work and latest charity challenges here.