By now South Africans are pretty much resigned to load shedding. It’s been well over 15 years and is only getting worse as our infrastructure weakens, with no real solution in sight. With that in mind, if you haven’t considered back-ups, here’s what you can do to keep your home and equipment safe when the electricity is down.
Back-up batteries
Ideally, you don’t want your home to be in total darkness given the many incidences of break-ins during load shedding. To keep your exterior lights on, security cameras powered, access to an electronic front gate or garage, and if you have a video doorbell with sensors, you’ll want to buy back-up batteries for them. It’s crucial that your points of entry and exit, including security set-up, can be accessed during a blackout. You have many options, including solar-powered batteries.
Surge protectors
Numerous reports from insurance companies attest to the increase in claims from damaged equipment since stage 6 load shedding hit. The frequent power surges have a lasting impact on your equipment, which will get damaged over time, no matter how “expensive” your devices are. If you want to prevent fuses from blowing, and overall damage to electronics, look immediately at getting surge protectors. Ellies also makes a range of surge protection multi-plugs and even backs it up with a guarantee worth R30 000.
UPS
For Wi-Fi equipment, computers with sensitive information or small medical devices that need to stay online, consider getting a UPS. Any type of electronic equipment that you can’t afford to be offline needs a UPS for a reliable connection that can remain powered for as long as you need it to. Just make sure the one you’re buying will last for the time frame required. It also then allows you to save and safely shut down a PC without losing data.
Any Vodacom Fibre customer can buy a UPS. You can buy a UPS online or from our Vodacom Sales Partners. You can buy as many UPSs as you wish to meet your requirements.
Single gas plate stove
Undoubtedly, the worst load-shedding slot is from 6pm, right in the middle of dinner, or when you’re starting to prepare for it. And we all know what the price of takeout is these days, so instead of wasting money ordering food, consider buying a single or double gas plate stove, the ones you’d use for camping. Cadac has a good, affordable range.
Insurance
Make sure your insurance is up to date and covers your equipment from any damage due to load shedding. If not, find a provider that will cover you. And check that should your home be broken into when your alarm systems are offline, the insurance policy covers any theft. The South African Insurance Association has also warned businesses and consumers to take measures to prevent and reduce interruptions.
