South Africa is dealing with a major electricity crisis, affecting numerous businesses and homeowners nationwide. Power outages are frequent and may last the whole day, disrupting daily life. This electricity crisis can be categorized as one of the most severe ones in history.

If you live in any part of South Africa or plan to visit it sometime soon, you should be aware of these conditions and find a way to cope with frequent power outages. Although the frequency has decreased, outages have become inevitable daily, so check out the tips we have prepared to help you navigate these harsh times.

Learn about the necessary repairs

Sometimes, the crisis may not cause your power outages. It may be due to minor electricity issues, e.g., your breaker keeps tripping after reset. In such cases, you need to know how to check for these minor issues and fix them to get your electricity back.

However, you should never put yourself at risk and experiment with electricity. Instead, learn about the common issues and solutions, but keep everything else untouched to avoid possible harm. This method can help you prevent random power outages that have nothing to do with the abovementioned crisis.

Create a backup kit

Since power outages may be common, you should create a kit containing all the necessary elements to bring you a source of light when darkness takes over. For instance, you can pack candles, flashlights, and other light sources you have around the house in a box, place them in a visible, accessible place, and use them when you don’t have electricity.

You can also pack entertainment kits to keep you occupied until the power comes back on. For instance, take some games, cards, or puzzles you can solve with your family to distract yourself from the crisis.

Consider food sources

When the power goes out, it will automatically put your groceries at risk. Your food may go bad since it won’t be stored properly in a cooling container. In such cases, it’s crucial to stock up on foods that can be kept outside the refrigerator, such as pastries and foods you don’t have to cook.

Moreover, you should remember that full freezers will keep the cold for longer, which is essential in such scenarios. Fill your freezer to the brim to prevent the groceries inside from melting and going bad.

Prepare for the weather

As you may rely on electricity for cooling or heating, losing power in such times may be stressful. You should always be prepared for weather changes and have appropriate tools to keep yourself warm/cold during power outages.

Add blankets and covers to your emergency kits, or use battery-powered fans to keep your house cold during extreme heat. Make sure that these elements are easily accessible and in a visible place to have them at hand if the power suddenly goes off. You should also ensure that your battery-powered devices are charged beforehand.

Practice calming activities

Losing power frequently is stressful. Many “what-if” questions may come to mind, further contributing to your uneasy feeling. Thus, you should preoccupy yourself and your family with some calming activities to keep your mind away from the circumstances.

You can play games, do something creative, or talk to your neighbours to pass the time and make this crisis a bit easier. It’s essential to do something you love during harsh times and not cause additional trouble when the situation isn’t favourable.

Plan ahead

Since you know that the power may turn off at any moment, you should be prepared for any scenario. Create a plan that best suits your household/business to ensure the best possible experience. That includes having your documents with you and keeping all essentials by your side.

Moreover, if you are a parent, you should learn how to keep your children entertained and develop new games and strategies to keep them occupied. You can create a plan according to your preferences and needs to turn that frown upside down.

Conclusion

Being in an electricity crisis isn’t easy. Numerous aspects of our lives depend on power sources; when it all goes down, the feeling of helplessness and nervousness may take over. However, there are ways to make the situation more efficient and easier. You just need to figure out what would be best for your lifestyle.

We have presented some tips you can incorporate into your routine to prepare yourself for power outages and make it more entertaining. You can adjust these tips according to your needs to make light of this stressful situation.