Mike Greeff, CEO of Greeff Christie\u2019s International Real Estate, explained that load-shedding is a thorn in everyone\u2019s side, but for now the only thing to do is roll with the punches. The best way to do that is to stay prepared.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ: Loadshedding \u2013 Public urged to be vigilant and to remember good personal safety habits<\/a><\/h4>\nApart from the obvious things, like ensuring your phone is charged and that all the light switches are off. Here are a few tips and tricks to survive those dark days:<\/p>
<\/div>\nDownload ESP \u2013 EskomSePush<\/strong><\/p>\nThis app is a must during load-shedding.<\/p>\n
You can choose as many areas as you like and get the appropriate schedule for each area.<\/p>\n
It also provides notifications and alerts, so you\u2019re kept abreast of any changes between the stages and\/or if load-shedding is suspended or not.<\/p>\n
Make sure your appliances are protected<\/strong><\/p>\nDuring load-shedding, there is no current running through the wires to power your appliances. This means when the power comes back on, there is a sudden surge of electricity which can cause the cables to burn up.<\/p>\n
Having these surges occur on a regular basis will eventually cause damage if your cables are not properly protected.<\/p>\n
It is recommended that you get a surge-protected unit to avoid having to replace electronics.<\/p>\n
Non-electrical cooking<\/strong><\/p>\nIt\u2019s not ideal to have the power go off just as you start to prepare dinner, right?<\/p>\n
Avoid hungry tummies and invest in \u2018alternative\u2019 cooking.<\/p>\n
Gas stoves are an obvious solution, but don\u2019t forget the legendary braai \u2013 Eskom can take our power, but they can\u2019t take our grill.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ: Extended power outages leave residents in the dark for days<\/a><\/h4>\nStay alert<\/strong><\/p>\nIf your home has an electrically operated gate, garage door or alarm system, ensure you have backup batteries that are in good working condition.<\/p>\n
If your alarm system cannot use backup batteries, it is best to keep all access windows and doors well-lit.<\/p>\n
Stay lit<\/strong><\/p>\nRechargeable LED lights are a must-have during these rolling blackouts.<\/p>\n
They are not as bright as normal lights, but they are bright enough to light up the room for homework and household activities.<\/p>\n
It also comes in handy when trying to find your way around \u2013 beats a stumped toe any day.<\/p>\n
Candles are an alternative, but if you are taking safety into account, it is best to go with LED lighting.<\/p>\n
Load-shedding, as inconvenient as it is, doesn\u2019t have to always be a bad thing.<\/p>\n
Having no electricity allows you to enjoy things you cannot usually enjoy when there\u2019s power, like camping out in the back yard and spending quality time with your family.<\/p>\n
Here is a list of some fun things to do when the lights are out:<\/strong><\/p>\n\u2022 Try your hand at yoga \u2013 Practise a few relaxing moves and feel the stress of load-shedding melt away.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Whip out those board games \u2013 Nothing passes the time like a good old game of Scrabble or Monopoly.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Family night out \u2013 Although there\u2019s plenty to do at home when the lights go out, if you\u2019d rather be out and about, treat your family to a night out on the town.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Braai, braai and braai – There is nothing South Africans love more than a good braai, so grab that grill, toss a few steaks on there, invite a few mates over and voil\u00e0, you\u2019ve got yourself a party.<\/p>\n
Load-shedding doesn\u2019t have to be all doom and gloom, so try and make the best of a bad situation.<\/p>\n
Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\nContact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nAlso follow us on:<\/p>\n
Download ESP \u2013 EskomSePush<\/strong><\/p>\n This app is a must during load-shedding.<\/p>\n You can choose as many areas as you like and get the appropriate schedule for each area.<\/p>\n It also provides notifications and alerts, so you\u2019re kept abreast of any changes between the stages and\/or if load-shedding is suspended or not.<\/p>\n Make sure your appliances are protected<\/strong><\/p>\n During load-shedding, there is no current running through the wires to power your appliances. This means when the power comes back on, there is a sudden surge of electricity which can cause the cables to burn up.<\/p>\n Having these surges occur on a regular basis will eventually cause damage if your cables are not properly protected.<\/p>\n It is recommended that you get a surge-protected unit to avoid having to replace electronics.<\/p>\n Non-electrical cooking<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s not ideal to have the power go off just as you start to prepare dinner, right?<\/p>\n Avoid hungry tummies and invest in \u2018alternative\u2019 cooking.<\/p>\n Gas stoves are an obvious solution, but don\u2019t forget the legendary braai \u2013 Eskom can take our power, but they can\u2019t take our grill.<\/p>\n Stay alert<\/strong><\/p>\n If your home has an electrically operated gate, garage door or alarm system, ensure you have backup batteries that are in good working condition.<\/p>\n If your alarm system cannot use backup batteries, it is best to keep all access windows and doors well-lit.<\/p>\n Stay lit<\/strong><\/p>\n Rechargeable LED lights are a must-have during these rolling blackouts.<\/p>\n They are not as bright as normal lights, but they are bright enough to light up the room for homework and household activities.<\/p>\n It also comes in handy when trying to find your way around \u2013 beats a stumped toe any day.<\/p>\n Candles are an alternative, but if you are taking safety into account, it is best to go with LED lighting.<\/p>\n Load-shedding, as inconvenient as it is, doesn\u2019t have to always be a bad thing.<\/p>\n Having no electricity allows you to enjoy things you cannot usually enjoy when there\u2019s power, like camping out in the back yard and spending quality time with your family.<\/p>\n Here is a list of some fun things to do when the lights are out:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Try your hand at yoga \u2013 Practise a few relaxing moves and feel the stress of load-shedding melt away.<\/p>\n \u2022 Whip out those board games \u2013 Nothing passes the time like a good old game of Scrabble or Monopoly.<\/p>\n \u2022 Family night out \u2013 Although there\u2019s plenty to do at home when the lights go out, if you\u2019d rather be out and about, treat your family to a night out on the town.<\/p>\n \u2022 Braai, braai and braai – There is nothing South Africans love more than a good braai, so grab that grill, toss a few steaks on there, invite a few mates over and voil\u00e0, you\u2019ve got yourself a party.<\/p>\n Load-shedding doesn\u2019t have to be all doom and gloom, so try and make the best of a bad situation.<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\nALSO READ: Extended power outages leave residents in the dark for days<\/a><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Facebook.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Twitter.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Instagram.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/youtube.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/07\/Newsletter.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n