There is a power outage in the Free State, after Sunday’s heavy rains and severe thunderstorms damaged electricity infrastructure.
While technicians are repairing faults and trying to restore the system, Stefanie Jansen Van Rensburg, Industry Support and Stakeholder Manager at Eskom’s Central East Cluster, said residents must stay clear of damaged electrical infrastructure.
Van Rensburg has advised customers to report faults on MyEskom App, the Chatbot and the USSD platform (*120*37566#).
Here are some of her useful tips:
Unplug electronic equipment before the storm arrives and avoid contact with electrical equipment and cords during the storm.
Avoid contact with water and plumbing, including sinks and baths when there is lightning.
If an electrical appliance has been in touch with water, get a professional to check it out, before it is used again.
Stay away from fallen trees or broken branches near a power line and do not attempt to remove it before the line has been isolated and declared safe by Eskom personnel.
Never step into a flooded room because water might have been in contact with electrical plugs, appliances or cords.
Do not touch or swim in rivers of streams as power lines may have fallen into them and electrified the water.
Never try and turn off power at the main box if you must stand in water to do so. If you cannot reach the main box safely, call Eskom or the Municipality.
Do not mow a wet lawn or when it is raining.