Loadshedding: Practical Ways to Plan, Save Power & Stay Safe

Loadshedding can mess up your day if you’re not ready. This guide gives clear, useful steps you can use right now: how to find schedules, what to pack in an essentials kit, simple energy moves that cut risk and bills, and which backup options work for different budgets.

How to prepare for a loadshedding stage

First, know the schedule. Use your municipal site or trusted apps (EskomSePush or local council alerts) and save the schedule to your phone. Check it each evening so you’re not surprised the next morning.

Build a small essentials kit: torches with fresh batteries, a power bank for your phone, a battery radio, matches or a lighter, a few candles (but use safely), and a cooler bag for food if the outage is long. Keep basic medicines and a small first-aid kit in one place so you can grab them quickly.

Plan your fridge and freezer: leave them closed as much as possible. If a long outage is likely, move high-risk food to a well-insulated cooler with ice packs. Label leftovers with dates so you can eat the oldest items first.

If you work from home, have a flexible plan. Save important files locally, charge devices fully before an expected outage, and schedule video calls outside known blackout windows.

Backup power options and simple energy saves

There’s no one-size-fits-all backup. For short outages, a good power bank plus a small UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for your router and laptop keeps you online. UPS units are cheap and quiet — great for remote work or study.

If you need more power, consider an inverter with a deep-cycle battery. Inverters can run lights, a fridge and a few plugs for hours depending on battery size. A petrol or diesel generator gives more power but needs fuel, noise control, and safe ventilation. If you want a long-term investment, basic rooftop solar with a battery can cut your reliance on the grid, though initial costs are higher.

Want to lower your load now? Use LED bulbs, unplug chargers and appliances when not in use, run dishwashers and washing machines during times when the grid is stable, and swap electric kettles or ovens for gas where possible. Smart plugs and timers help reduce standby power drain and let you control loads remotely.

Safety matters: never run a generator inside or in an enclosed space, avoid open flames near curtains or children, and use multimeters or professional help before touching electrical panels. If you smell burning or see sparks, switch off the main breaker and call a licensed electrician.

If outages are frequent in your area, join local WhatsApp or community groups for real-time info and shared tips. Report long or unsafe outages to your municipality so they can prioritize repairs. Small steps before a blackout pay off big time — you’ll protect food, stay connected and keep your household safe without overspending.

Want a checklist you can print? Save this page or subscribe to local alerts so you get the next schedule straight to your phone.