{"id":80965,"date":"2015-02-12T07:27:08","date_gmt":"2015-02-12T05:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=80965"},"modified":"2015-02-11T12:33:21","modified_gmt":"2015-02-11T10:33:21","slug":"handy-tips-survive-load-shedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2015\/02\/12\/handy-tips-survive-load-shedding\/","title":{"rendered":"Handy tips on how to survive load shedding"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Load shedding has become a norm inn manyy house holds around the country.<\/div>\n
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Load shedding involves\u00a0switching off parts of the electricity network in sequence, to ease the pressure on the power grid and ensure a stable supply across the country.<\/div>\n
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While it can be an annoying inconvenience, it should also be a wake-up call to us to get serious about the way we use electricity to avoid any strain on our already limited resources.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Reducing your household’s electricity demand not only saves you money, it also means the load on the national power grid is reduced, which helps\u00a0stabilise the power supply.<\/p>\n

Here are some useful tips to make\u00a0load shedding easier:<\/p>

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Think about communication:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • Ensure your cellphone is always fully charged when power is available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Think about transport:<\/strong><\/p>

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    • Ensure your vehicle (car, bakkie, motorcycle, etc) always has fuel in the tank because petrol stations cannot pump fuel during power outages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Think about cash:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      • Ensure you have enough cash because ATMs cannot operate without electricity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Think about access, security and safety:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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        • Release automatic electric garage door mechanisms so\u00a0you can gain access to your property during a power outage.<\/li>\n
        • Release electric security gates and switch to manual operation to avoid being either locked out of or in\u00a0your home.<\/li>\n
        • Keep temporary lighting readily available, e.g. battery-powered torches and candles. Make sure you put these items in places where they will be easy to find in the dark.<\/li>\n
        • Keep a torch (with fresh batteries) by your bedside at all times.<\/li>\n
        • Get a small LP gas lamp, as it gives good quality lighting for a large area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Think about keeping things cool and heating them up:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          • Boil water and keep it in thermos flasks for hot drinks for when the power is scheduled to be switched off.<\/li>\n
          • Use an insulating cover on teapots and other pots and pans to keep drinks hot, and meals warm.<\/li>\n
          • Prepare meals beforehand in case of power cuts.<\/li>\n
          • Obtain a small, stand-by bottled LP gas heating ring for essential cooking and to boil water for hot beverages.<\/li>\n
          • Keep adequate stocks of essential foodstuffs.<\/li>\n
          • 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.<\/li>\n
          • Most medication requiring refrigeration can be kept in a closed fridge for several hours without spoiling\u00a0(check with your doctor or pharmacist to be sure).<\/li>\n
          • Fill plastic containers with water (still leaving some space inside each container for\u00a0expansion 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p>
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