HomeLifestyle & TravelLifestyleDon't be left in the dark

Don’t be left in the dark

So you’ve popped the dinner in the oven, you’ve set the table and you’re ready to enjoy a meal with family or friends.

Unfortunately, the lights go out and your plans for a lovely dinner party go out the window as you are left frantically scrambling to put something else together at the last minute.

Sound familiar?

- Advertisement -

Load shedding is upon us once again, however, there is no need to have a meltdown every time the lights go out.

Here are some tips to prepare for load shedding:

• Keep checking your load shedding schedule and plan on the assumption that load shedding will take place.

• Think about communication. Ensure that your cellphone, laptop and tablet are always fully charged when power is available.

• Make sure that your vehicle always has petrol because some petrol stations cannot pump fuel during power outages.

• ATMs cannot operate without electricity, so make sure you have enough cash with you.

• Make sure that the backup batteries in your electrically operated gates, garage doors and security systems are in good condition to last through periods of load shedding.

• Keep temporary lighting readily available and make sure you put these items in places where they will be easy to find in the dark.

• Boil water and keep it in thermos flasks for hot drinks for times when the power is scheduled to be switched off.

• Use an insulating cover on teapots and other pots and pans to keep drinks hot, and meals warm.

• Prepare meals beforehand in readiness for periods when there will be power cuts.

• Obtain a small stand-by bottled LP gas heating ring for essential cooking and to boil water for hot beverages.

• Keep adequate stocks of essential foodstuffs.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. A power outage lasting four hours should not cause food spoilage, and a freezer should keep frozen food safe for at least a day. It is a good idea to have alternative snacks available that do not need refrigeration.

• Fill plastic containers with water, leaving some space inside each container for expansion during freezing, in a deep freeze or the freezer compartment of your fridge. This frozen bottled water will help keep food cold during a power outage.

• If circumstances dictate that you cannot be without power even during periods of load shedding, you may want to consider investing in a petrol, diesel or gas-powered generator, or a UPS system designed to power those pieces of equipment and appliances that you consider essential.

* Information obtained from Eskom.

- Advertisement -

Must Read