10 helpful tricks and tips to use when the power goes out

Power outages are more than just sitting in the dark. The fridge stops running, everything starts to defrost, plus the AC and fans stop working. Out come the torches and you have to wait patiently for the power to return. When the power goes out at your home, make sure to remember these helpful tips and tricks…

  v  When the power does fail somehow and the lights go out, leaving you in pitch darkness, don’t jump up immediately to find your flashlight and candles. Take a minute or two to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. You will be surprised how much better you can see and you won’t be as likely to walk into a table, chair or door.

  v  Keep some board games like chess, dominos, puzzles or UNO handy to keep yourself busy. Think of ways in which people amused themselves before the invention of electricity.

 

  v  Make sure you have at least one charged cell phone in the house. Keep a car charger handy in case the battery runs low.

  v  If your computer is connected to a UPS device, save everything and shutdown your computer as soon as you can. Take a look at Off Grid’s website for a wide range of UPS devices and other products that supply back up power.

  v  Take out your book from the dusty corner or buy a few books beforehand. It will kill some time and keep you entertained without needing any electricity.

  v  Put lumo stickers on your flashlights and keep them in easy to see places, like the bookshelf, next to the TV, on the nightstand, etc. When the power goes out, your flashlight will be quick and easy to find!

 

  v  Candles, if used improperly, can cause fire. Make sure you light your candles away from anything flammable and in an area where they can’t be knocked over. If you can, just try use flashlights instead of candles.

  v  Never use a generator in your home, garage or other enclosed environment!

Write these helpful tricks and tips down and keep them close at hand, so next time the power goes out you are fully prepared.

For a wide range of backup power devices, ranging from power banks to UPS systems - Visit Off Grid's website today!

How to stay safe during a power outage, experts explain

Severe storms and power outages unfortunately do happen and they can devastate homes, properties and lives. How long it takes for your power to become restored depends on the amount of damage, number of outages and when it is safe for utility personnel to get to the damaged areas.

There are many steps in the assessment and restoration process, so always be sure to contact and report the outage immediately.

We want you to know how to put together a storm safety kit, here are the following things you should include in your kit:

- Drinking water
- Non-perishable foods
- Blankets, pillows and warm clothing
- Basic first aid supplies
- Any prescription medication
- Basic toiletries
- Flashlight
- Battery operated radio and clock
- Extra supply of batteries
- Cellphone
- Cash and credit cards
- all emergency numbers
- Important documents in a sealed container
- Toys, books and games
- Baby supplies (if needed)
- Pet supplies (if needed)

Always have a storm kit prepared. Keep it in a cool, dry, safe place and make sure all the members of the family know where it is. 

Make sure you are prepared if you are ever caught in the dark, take a look at Off Grid's load shedding solutions. From power banks to UPS and KVA systems - we have it all!

Load Shedding and Safety

Most of us use a mixture of sources to get energy into our households. Because of load shedding, we can’t always rely on electricity to keep our homes powered. Alternatives include electricity, gas, coal, paraffin, firewood, candles and solar power to fulfill the job of lighting, cooking or heating.

What we don’t always consider with the alternatives we turn to is safety. Energy accidents are a global problem; and can cause accidents with children and adults. Education around energy safety not only helps you and your family but the community as a whole.

There are some preventative measures you can take to ensure that you and your family are always safe when load shedding prevents you from using electricity.

Preventative measures:

- Repair all damaged and broken wires in your home

- Never ever let children use appliances, paraffin stoves or candles unsupervised

- Turn off appliances when you are done using them

- Dangerous products, such as paraffin and matches should always be kept out of reach and properly sealed

- Make sure the container you use for storing paraffin is not used for anything else

- Have emergency numbers in highly visible places for children to call during a crisis

Dealing with the emergency

- Get yourself and others out of the situation

- Call for help

- Using sand to put out electrical and paraffin fires is far more effective than water

- All burns should be taken seriously, get the injured person to a hospital or clinic as fast as possible

Load shedding is not going away anytime soon. Because of this, we have been forced to use other ways to supply ourselves with power.

Although accidents do happen; we have to take extra measures to make sure that those dearest to us are safe and protected!

Off Grid can provide your home or your business with effective load shedding solutions. Don't get caught in the dark, purchase one of our many products today!

The fun side of load shedding

Load shedding is not a joke, however if you choose to look on the bright side of the situation you can find some fun activities to do when load shedding makes an unwelcome visit in your area.

Practice your handstands

Everyone knows that if you can do handstands, you’re considered to be pretty cool. It’s a small accomplishment for young kid, but it really gets a crowd of 25 year olds going! Handstands can be a party trick for when load shedding hits and all you need to do it is a wall and arms.

Become environmentally friendly

Load shedding is the perfect opportunity for you to turn your crib into a completely green zone. Yes, throw out your electrical oven and replace it with a gas one. Jeez, why don’t you just throw out your kettle and toaster while you’re at it, we shouldn’t be relying on appliances that use unnecessary power. For those of you who want to fully commit to this idea should just buy a tent and move into a local campsite or park, you can always just live off the land.

Make use of your Pinterest account

This is the best opportunity for you to actually make something from your DIY Pinterest folder. Why don’t you kick it old school and make some pretty decorations using candles – pack those torches away. Be aware because this activity might require you to print out instructions beforehand, unless you’re lucky enough to still have data.

Get to know your friends

We know that since we have reached the level of only communicating with technology, we have become socially awkward weirdos, who only know how to compliment people’s selfies on Facebook. Well, load shedding is the perfect time to get those social skills working again! Take a trip to your friend’s house (if you still remember where they live) and start up a conversation with them.

Earn your degree

Load shedding is actually the perfect time for you to study and learn stuff. Leave 9gag, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alone and finally read that course you haven’t got around to even looking at. When all the distractions are gone you can finally work towards deserving that degree you got that one time at that place you never want to visit again.

Prepare in advance

Yes, we have load shedding schedules, but we also live in South Africa, the country where no one really knows that is going on. That means the power can go off at any moment, so always remember to have some cooked bacon on standby at all times! “Hell hath no FURY than a man who can’t fry bacon.” – Bazil the Bulldog.

There is always hope in the darkness, even though in the moment we panic and wonder what on earth people did before the internet. Hopefully these tips will make load shedding bearable and bring some light to your dark room.

Off Grid provides backup power solutions that are both affordable and seamless to run; when the power goes out you are not inconvenienced and can continue to run your business, watch TV, surf the internet and all without worrying about when it’s coming back on again.

How to Survive Load Shedding in Cape Town

Someone who thinks of ways to deal with power cuts shouldn’t be needed in the 21^st century, what’s next someone who gives us tips on how to hunt and gather food? The thing is, load shedding is our current reality right now, so let’s look on the bright side.

Here is a list of things to do when you’re plunged into darkness and ways to cope when Eskom throws us back into the Stone Age (If all else fails you can always purchase backup power solutions from Off Grid!)

1. Engage in fun electricity-free activities that you’ve never had time for. Hike up Lions Head, Go caving, adventure through a forest, knit a blanket, hug a tree… there’s an endless list of lightless activities to do.

2. Take a drive up to an elevated point. Signal Hill is the best option as you can gaze out onto the patches of light and dark. Try to guess which suburb will be in darkness next, you could even turn it into a drinking game!

3. Have some fun taking long-exposure in the dark with some sparklers. You could try draw the outline of the mountains or short phrases, such as “Eskom Sucks!”

4. Catch up on Game of Thrones, Modern Family or Vikings. Just make sure your laptop is always charged before load shedding kicks in. Take it to the next level by inviting some friends over for a marathon.

5. If you’re not keen for lettuce and raw carrots of dinner, head to one of these Cape Town eateries, who have all made a plan to stay open during power cuts:

- Black Sheep Restaurant
- Beerhouse
- Castella Amare
- Charly’s Bakery
- The Bungalow
- El Burro
- Borage Bistro
- De Grendel
- Rick’s Café Americain
- Richard’s Supper Stage

6. Load shedding has one positive side; it makes our favourite pastime, braaing, very useful! So, step away from the stove and make your meals caveman-style.

These tips aren’t going to bring our lights back on when load shedding hits, but at the very least they could save our sanity!