Everyday life

Getting through power cuts

What to have ready for load-shedding or a local outage, how to keep the essentials running, and what to switch off.

Whether it's scheduled load-shedding or a cable theft down the road, the lights go out. A little preparation makes it a nuisance instead of a crisis.

Know when it's coming

• Scheduled cuts are published by Eskom or by your municipality, depending on who supplies your power. Your electricity bill tells you which.
• Many people use a load-shedding app for their area. Check it against your municipality's own schedule now and then.
• Unscheduled outages (faults, theft, storms) are reported to your municipality or Eskom. Report it, and get a reference number.

Have ready

• A torch or headlamp for each person, and spare batteries.
• A power bank charged for each phone. Charge everything when the power is on.
• A gas stove or camping cooker for hot food and kettle water. Use gas outside or in a well-ventilated space.
• Water in the fridge, and ice packs in the freezer to keep it cold longer.

Keep the essentials running

• A small UPS keeps a Wi-Fi router going for hours. Fibre usually keeps working if the router has power.
• An inverter with a battery runs lights, TV and router. Have a qualified electrician install anything wired into the house.
• Generators must run outside, far from windows. Exhaust fumes kill.

When the power comes back

Switch off big appliances (geyser, oven, pool pump) during the outage, then turn them back on one at a time afterwards. Power often surges when it returns, and a surge protector on electronics is cheap insurance.

Fridges and food

A closed fridge keeps food cold for a few hours. Keep the door shut. If the power was off long enough that frozen food thawed completely, cook it soon or throw it away. Don't refreeze it.

Last updated 8 October 2026