There are several other more useful tips to deal with load-shedding. Here are just a few:
1. Get a generator, UPS or go solar
Invest in a UPS, known as an uninterruptible power supply or uninterruptible power source. These can sustain electronic equipment for up to eight hours.
2. Get surge protection plugs
Load-shedding can wreak havoc with devices such as fridges, stoves and TVs. Load-shedding protector plugs protect your appliances from fluctuations in voltage levels that happen during load-shedding.
3. Hotspot
If you have to be online for work, you can buy data and use your phone as a hotspot.
4. Visit a friend
Make friends in another suburb so when the lights go out at home you can plan a visit.
5. Stock up on candles and torches
Stock up on candles, torches, lamps and LED lights so that there is always light in your life, even if Eskom decides there shouldn't be. Just remember fire safety.
6. Get a flask
Store boiled water in hot water bottles or Thermos flasks for hot drinks.
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
WATCH | From following your boss to catching light in a jar: Load-shedding tips you SHOULDN'T try!
As SA battles rolling load-shedding, everyone and their neighbour seems to have “tips” on how to beat the blackout blues.
While some suggestions like going solar, buying candles or dating someone on a different load-shedding schedule are great, others like trying to capture light in a jar are not.
Social media comedian Rory Petzer brought a good laugh to many online recently when he satirically shared some “hacks” on how to deal with power cuts, including following your boss to absorb their power.
He also suggested asking everyone on the neighbourhood WhatsApp group to raise their hands in the air because “many hands make light work”.
To be clear, none of these tips actually work — but they had many rolling on the floor with laughter.
Social media users shared their own silly “hacks”, including hanging out with someone you like so sparks can fly, while others just shared load-shedding memes.
There are several other more useful tips to deal with load-shedding. Here are just a few:
1. Get a generator, UPS or go solar
Invest in a UPS, known as an uninterruptible power supply or uninterruptible power source. These can sustain electronic equipment for up to eight hours.
2. Get surge protection plugs
Load-shedding can wreak havoc with devices such as fridges, stoves and TVs. Load-shedding protector plugs protect your appliances from fluctuations in voltage levels that happen during load-shedding.
3. Hotspot
If you have to be online for work, you can buy data and use your phone as a hotspot.
4. Visit a friend
Make friends in another suburb so when the lights go out at home you can plan a visit.
5. Stock up on candles and torches
Stock up on candles, torches, lamps and LED lights so that there is always light in your life, even if Eskom decides there shouldn't be. Just remember fire safety.
6. Get a flask
Store boiled water in hot water bottles or Thermos flasks for hot drinks.
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
MORE: