A load shedding checklist has been compiled by Eskom. Prepare yourself by doing the following:

Load Shedding Checklist
1. Keep your cell phone fully charged when the power is on. If your cellphone battery is low, remember that you can use your car charger in your car.
2. Invest in a small LP gas lamp for good quality lighting over a large area.
3. Prepare meals beforehand in case of a power outage.
4. Install solar powered security and garden lights.
5. Load shedding may result in alarm systems not operating properly therefore check with your insurer if you are covered should you have a break in while the alarm is not powered.
6. Remember to switch off your oven if it was on when the power outage started.
7. Keep boiled water in thermos flasks for hot drinks during a power outage.
8. Invest in a small LP gas heating ring for essential cooking and to boil water for hot drinks – make sure you have an extra bottle of gas.
9. Make use of surge protection: Electric surges are one of the biggest causes of damage to equipment during a power outage. Installing a surge protection device can help minimise damage. Have a surge protection device fitted to your electrical distribution board.
10. Keep frozen bottled water in your freezer to help keep food cold during a power outage.
11. Keep a battery- powered torch or candles in a place where it will be easy to find in the dark – make sure you have an extra set of fresh batteries.
12. Keep a small torch on your bedside table at all times – make sure you have an extra set of fresh batteries.
13. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed at all times – a power outage of four hours should not cause food spoilage and a freezer should keep food frozen and safe for at least a day.
14. Access, security and safety always remain a top priority – Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it. Also keep a key to your house with you if you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home, in case the garage door will not open.
15. Most medication that needs refrigeration can be kept in a closed fridge for several hours without spoiling – it is essential that you check with your doctor or pharmacist to be sure about your type of medication.
16. Back up your data: Make it a priority to save your data offsite, in case of a hard drive crash or unforeseen electrical fault. Online “cloud-based” backups are very convenient and are mostly automated, which means that you have one less thing to worry about.