1 March 2023
Purchase window opens for recalled Anker 321 Power Bank A1112
Anker has recalled its A1112 Anker 321 Power Bank (PowerCore 5K, Black), sold between 1 March 2023 and 6 June 2024, because some batteries may overheat and pose a fire risk.
Emergencies news
We cover news from public bodies and utility companies for UK households on power cuts, weather, water, health, safety and security. Each report includes the date and sources, with links to our guides.
March 2023
1 March 2023
Earlier recall of Fast Charge Jump Starter 260 RPPL360 model
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has recalled the Ring Automotive RPPL260 Fast Charge Jump Starter 260 and 9000mAH Power Bank over a potential fire risk, following an earlier recall of the…
1 March 2023
Ring recalls Fast Charge Jump Starter 360 after short-circuit fault identified
Ring Automotive recalled its Fast Charge Jump Starter 360 in March 2023 after identifying a fault that could cause short-circuiting and overheating, and in February 2024 extended the recall to the…
February 2023
20 February 2023
Industrial action by ambulance workers takes place
NHS England issued guidance on 20 February 2023 telling the public to keep seeking urgent care during industrial action by ambulance workers, with its medical director warning that disruption is…
17 February 2023
Storm Otto cuts power to 43,000 homes in northern Scotland
Storm Otto cut power to 43,000 homes across northern Scotland on 17 February 2023, with SSEN reporting more than 200 high voltage faults and all supplies restored by 19 February.
7 February 2023
Storm Otto leaves around 16,000 properties off supply in north east Scotland
Storm Otto left around 16,000 properties without power in north east Scotland on 7 February 2023, after gusts of 85mph brought down trees and branches, with SSEN warning some rural homes would be off…
7 February 2023
SSEN deploys mobile food vans to areas off supply after Storm Otto
SSEN restored power to more than 27,000 properties after Storm Otto but around 16,000 remained off supply, with mobile food vans sent to nine locations in Aberdeenshire.
7 February 2023
SSEN contacts over 130,000 Priority Services Register customers during Storm Otto
SSEN contacted more than 130,000 Priority Services Register customers and called the most vulnerable as Storm Otto left around 16,000 properties without power, mainly in Aberdeenshire.
7 February 2023
SSEN Distribution moves to Weather Warning status in the north of Scotland
SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status on 7 February 2023 ahead of severe gales forecast for the north of Scotland from Wednesday afternoon, with winds potentially reaching 70mph in exposed…
6 February 2023
Ambulance workers strike again during biggest industrial action in NHS history
Ambulance workers struck again on Friday 10 February 2023 after action on Monday, in what NHS England called the biggest industrial action in its history, with nurses and physiotherapists also taking…
1 February 2023
BHF reports only half of UK adults confident they could perform CPR on a loved one
The British Heart Foundation reports that 51 per cent of UK adults say they could perform CPR on a loved one, with a third never having learned it, and calls on the nation to learn during Heart Month.
1 February 2023
Recall of Black Anker 535 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K A1366) over fire risk
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has published a recall of the black Anker 535 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K) A1366, sold in the UK via Amazon and Anker's website, because a manufacturing…
January 2023
28 January 2023
SSEN Distribution moves to Weather Warning status ahead of severe gales in the north of Scotland
SSEN Distribution has moved to Weather Warning status ahead of severe gales forecast for the north of Scotland from around midnight on Monday night, with gusts over 70mph in exposed and coastal areas.
27 January 2023
NIFRS issues winter home fire safety appeal
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service has appealed to households to reduce home fire risk during the winter period, after eight house fire deaths since November 2022 and a 14% rise in incidents.
23 January 2023
Ambulance strikes go ahead in England with NHS advice issued to patients
NHS England has told patients to keep seeking emergency care and to use 111 online, pharmacies and general practice as ambulance strikes go ahead in England on 23 January 2023.
23 January 2023
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 come into force
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into force on 23 January 2023, introducing new requirements for multi-occupied residential buildings and implementing several Phase 1 Grenfell Tower…
23 January 2023
Further industrial action planned with reduced ambulance cover in London
London Ambulance Service expects about half its normal vehicles on the road during industrial action on Monday 23 January 2023, with cover from non-striking staff, other NHS trusts and military…
1 January 2023
Flu hospital cases reach winter high in England
NHS England reports 5,500 patients in hospital with flu in the week to New Year's Day, a 47% weekly rise, alongside more than 9,000 patients with COVID, and urges eligible people to take up winter…
1 January 2023
Department for Education rolls out 21,000 defibrillators to 17,000 schools in England
The Department for Education rolled out 21,000 defibrillators to 17,000 schools in England in January 2023, part of a £19 million programme announced in July 2022.
December 2022
24 December 2022
NHS warns parents of surge in children swallowing dangerous objects at Christmas
NHS England has urged parents to watch for small toys and button batteries this Christmas after hospital admissions of under-15s who swallowed small objects doubled in ten years, from 115 in 2011/12…