Britain braces for a major winter storm as Goretti approaches, bringing heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and cold-weather warnings across much of the UK.

Practical advice from British Gas urges households to prevent frozen pipes: regular boiler servicing, insulating exposed pipes, allowing warm air in unheated spaces, maintaining indoors around 7°C, sealing draughts, fixing leaks, and knowing the stopcock location.

Around 54,000 households are expected to need heating and hot-water assistance next week as temperatures fall and pipes risk freezing.

Additional guidance highlights sealing draughts and insulating doors and windows, with the potential to save up to £60 a year on energy bills.

Boiler checks should include testing heat and timer settings, resetting after power cuts, and using the reset switch or power cycle as needed.

Winter-prep tips include bleeding radiators, sealing draughts, optimizing heating layout, using thicker curtains, and considering zonal heating and insulation.

If customers aren’t confident, British Gas advises calling an engineer, with a same-day service for calls before 11am.

The piece notes energy-system pressures in the UK, including slow heat-pump deployment, high costs, and rising household debt that complicate covering repair costs during cold snaps.

Boiler maintenance and support options are highlighted, including British Gas Homecare and the Energy Support Fund offering up to £2,000 for eligible households.

The cold spell has produced the coldest temperatures of the winter so far, with readings around -12.5°C in parts of eastern England.

The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber cold-health alert covering most of England, valid until early January 9, signaling impacts on health and social care services.

If a leak occurs, use absorbent towels to manage escaping water and contact your insurer for next steps; further guidance is available on British Gas’s site.