Tips to keep your loved ones and your appliances safe during load-shedding

Load-shedding has a significant impact on average consumers, who must deal with not only the discomfort of a power outage but also the risk of voltage spikes that can damage appliances.

In addition, security issues for residential areas may be posed, which include an increased risk of burglary and theft as thieves take advantage of power outages.

During power outages, it is essential to guarantee your safety. This entails being even more cautious than usual and avoiding potentially dangerous situations.

Executive head of claims and client experience, Vickey Swanevelder, said that it is advisable to use rechargeable/solar-powered or battery-powered lights to keep your cellphone charged and your home well-lit.

“Since it would appear that load-shedding will remain part of our lives for the foreseeable future as Eskom maintains and upgrades its ageing infrastructure, Momentum Insure would like to provide a few practical steps to employ to limit the impact that it has on your family, loved ones and possessions,” Swanevelder said.

Tips to minimise the impact of power outages:

Consider getting battery-powered portable LED lights to reduce the burden on your generator. You may also check into solar-powered lights as an alternative.

Try to stay informed about power outages or load-shedding in your neighbourhood.

Charge your smart mobile gadgets, battery packs, and computers ahead of the expected power outages to prepare for load-shedding.

For expensive or sensitive electronic equipment and appliances, such as refrigerators and desktop computers, invest in surge protector plugs.

Consider alternate energy sources such as solar power, gas, and other energy storage solutions such as backup and standby generators if you can do so.

Ensure that all equipment and systems are installed by SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) specifications.

How to use generators safely:

Both backup and standby generators should be installed by an electrician or a professionally qualified technician, according to our recommendations.

Backup generators function independently of your home’s electrical system. A standby generator, on the other hand, is directly connected to your home’s electrical system, allowing it to immediately start up when power is lost.

Make sure to run your generator outside, in a well-ventilated place, rather than in a partially closed room, garage, or inside the house. This is due to the harmful carbon monoxide produced by diesel generators.

Keep the generator’s diesel/fuel in an appropriate safety container. Use the correct type of fuel as specified in the instructions or on the generator’s label. To prevent youngsters from accessing the fuel or any other unauthorised use, store it in a locked cabinet or drawer.

Make sure to keep the generator as dry as possible.

If your generator runs out of gasoline, make sure it’s switched off and cooled down before refuelling it.
Keep your children and pets away from your generator since it has components that can grow hot enough to burn and cause injury while in use.

Before connecting any other appliances to the generator, be sure it is turned on. To avoid overloading the generator, turn on your appliances one at a time once it is up and running.

Keep in mind that your generator is only meant to be used temporarily (during load-shedding), therefore, you may need to prioritise your needs.

“Like your car, service your generator regularly to avoid disappointment and to ensure your safety when you are using it,” Swanevelder concluded.