Sitting in darkness creates an instant feeling of unease. Take the fear out of load shedding by protecting your devices and your property with these tips from Dialdirect:

Switch off fridges and air conditioners: As these appliances usually work with compressors, the pressurised gas could provide resistance and cause damage to the device’s motor when the power is turned back on. Switch off during load shedding and switch back on one by one when the power is restored and stable.

Invest in a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): This is a great way to protect your devices, especially when you are working from home. It should keep your home office powered long enough to shut them down in a safe manner.

Keep your cell phone charged, or invest in a portable phone charger, so that you can still call for help if you need to.

Get back-up batteries: Alarm systems, garage doors and electric gates generally rely on electricity. Don’t get caught with alarms failing or electric gates not opening during load shedding by making sure you have good back-up batteries in place.

Install solar powered lights: Placing a few, high-wattage solar powered lights around your garden will create enough light for you to see what is going on outside and will help deter potential burglars.