Tips to get through loadshedding

Aside from reducing your electricity consumption, especially between the peak 5pm to 9pm period, here are some useful tips on how to survive a power outage:

• Put the proposed load shedding times on your fridge so that your family will have enough time to prepare for the power outage
• Alarm systems, garage doors and electric gates generally rely on electricity, so make sure that these items all have good backup batteries. If your alarm system does not have a backup battery, be cautious during a power outage. It is recommended you purchase a mobile panic button which runs on batteries and which is linked to a reputable emergency response company
• If you rely on a cordless phone, which would obviously be rendered inoperable during a power outage, keep your cellphone handy
• Use LED globes with a rechargeable battery backup, so when the power outage occurs, you just need to connect the rechargeable battery to the LED globe to produce light.
• Make sure your computer, laptop, phone or iPad is fully charged so you can still use them
• Keep an oil lamp, torch or solar, battery powered light or lantern or portable light that is charged beforehand in multiple, easily accessible locations around your home. Be sure to also have plenty of fresh, spare batteries
• Fill a thermos flask with boiling water before the blackout for a warm cup of tea or coffee during the blackout
• If your budget allows, buy a portable generator. Learn to safely use your generator and test it monthly. Make sure to store enough fuel to run the generator for up to a week
• Your fridge and freezer supplies should be okay without power overnight if you do not open and close them too often.