In 2020, load shedding is somehow still happening, and although we don’t like it, there’s nothing we can do to stop it – so we might as well be prepared to deal with it! Most of you are probably well equipped when it comes to dealing with rolling blackouts, and if you’re anything like us, you’ve got your pre-loadshedding routine down to a fine art! But just in case you’re in the dark, both literally and figuratively, we’ve put together some helpful tips to shed light on all things loadshedding!
- Make sure all your mobile devices, laptops and tablets are fully charged at all times, especially when you know that there is going to be load shedding.
- Invest in a power bank – these handy devices are lifesavers, especially if you’ve forgotten to charge your phone before load shedding hits. They are fairly inexpensive, not to mention highly efficient when it comes to keeping all your small electronic devices charged.
- Try to keep your refrigerator closed as much as possible. Your food should be fine for up to 8 hours without electricity – that is of course, if you remember to keep the door closed. Think before you open the fridge so that instead of hovering, you grab the item you actually want – thereby avoiding the unnecessary process of opening and closing.
- Make sure that you always have a good amount of temporary light sources, such as candles, torches and battery-powered LED to help you navigate in the dark. As much as possible, we would advise against the use of candles because they are a common fire hazard. We suggest investing in a good battery-powered LED light as some of them are capable of providing up to 16 hours of continuous light, compared to the measly 2-4 hours of light provided by a candle.
- Unplug and switch off all large appliances at the wall – the constant on/off cycle of the power grid can cause power surges which could damage your appliances in the long run, not to mention destroy them altogether! If the budget allows, invest in good quality surge protectors for all your appliances. Although they can be quite expensive, they are very good to have if you happen to forget to switch off or unplug an expensive appliance. Some of the premium surge protector brands carry warranties that will replace or refund you in the event that the surge protector is faulty and fails to protect your appliance.
- Prepare meals beforehand! This one’s pretty simple but it can save you a lot of money on fast food deliveries and takeout as a result of load shedding. The best way to do this is to look at your load-shedding schedule for the week and decide what quick and easy meals you’re going to be making. Choose simple yet delicious meals that you will be able to prepare well before the lights go out!
- Invest in a small gas stove or a skottle – these become very useful when the power goes out and you still need to make dinner, or even just boil the kettle for a cup of tea or coffee. If you are budget-conscious you can use a flask to store boiling water, thus ensuring that you can at least enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the dark!
Loadshedding is definitely a pain, but we hope that these enlightening tips help to brighten up the whole experience for you!
