Home and Business Tips During Load Shedding

As the latest round of load shedding plunges South Africa into darkness, homes and businesses can experience severe implications.

A comprehensive insurance policy is essential and it is important to familiarise yourself with the policy to ensure that all your assets are covered in the event of a power outage. This includes having the correct insurance cover in place for your needs, as well as adequate cover to insure the required value of your assets. Claims are typically made for things such as the deterioration and spoiling of refrigerated food, and damage to electronic devices due to a sudden power surge.

Here are a few tips mitigate the risk of possible damage or loss as a result of power outages:

Unplug appliances and sensitive equipment: It is always a good idea to unplug electronic devices that may be vulnerable to power surges.

Beware your generator: It is critical that generators are never used in an enclosed area as the emissions can cause asphyxiation. The heat from the generator or a faulty connection to your home's power supply can also cause fire damage

Test your alarm system: During load shedding, alarm power packs and batteries may wear out faster. Many insurance policies require that you perform an annual or bi-annual alarm system check.

Install reserve power: To ensure that electric fencing and gates still work during load shedding, reserve batteries should be installed and maintained.

Be vigilant: Public load shedding timetables unfortunately invite criminals to see blackouts as an opportunity to undertake illegal activities. As such, extra vigilance is required.