Eskom has announced that there will be low-risk rotational load shedding that will affect various parts of Johannesburg. Here is the info you need…
Get ready for those candlelit dinners, early bedtimes and snuggling by the fireplace. These are not new things to residents of South Africa and neither is load shedding. Thankfully, we have some well-earned experience from a few years back when black-outs became a norm in every household.
We could easily dwell on how annoying load shedding is, but where is the fun in that? Instead, we have come up with a list of things to do that could help anyone through load shedding.
How do you tell if you will be affected by load shedding?
Easy, head on over to the designated load shedding website here, type in your neighbourhood and take a look at the schedule. Mostly, Eskom has made it so that load shedding takes place later in the evening, closer to bedtime or during the middle of the night. It is a rare occurrence that the power will be cut during business hours.
How to prepare for load shedding? (Plus safety tips)
Once again, fairly easy. Make sure you know when your area has scheduled load shedding and prepare ahead. Make sure you have alternative light sources, for safety reasons, keep all candles and open flames a safe distance from anything flammable and in protective jars. Do not fall asleep before blowing out your candles.
Charge all your electronic devices, check your gas items are full and stock up on wood for your fireplaces and/or braai. When using gas or fire, ensure the room is well ventilated.
If you are making use of a generator, always be mindful of keeping it in an area that will not deeply annoy your neighbours and stock up on fuel that you may need to run it.
Things to do during load shedding.
- Have conversations with your family and friends, reconnect during the downtime.
- Snuggle your pets, children or partner – let them know you love them.
- Play card games together or learn a new game.
- Read a book you have been meaning to, just make sure you have enough light so that you don’t damage your eyes.
- Build a fort in the lounge and camp out for the evening.
- Start a puzzle, again make sure you have sufficient light for this task.
- Teach your children a skill they might not know yet.
Whatever you do, see this as a time to reconnect with the people in your home instead of seeing it as an inconvenience. Life is short and these moments are perfect for making the most of the time we have.
For detailed info on possible load shedding, check out Eskom’s Twitter page.
POWER ALERT 1
Date: 14 August 2018
There is a low risk of rotational loadshedding during the day but the probability
increases for this evening @CityofJoburgZA @CityPowerJhb @CityofCT @City_Ekurhuleni @eNCA @SABCNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/OTUX1oFtOE— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) August 14, 2018
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