Safety Urged as Heat Wave, Thunderstorms Approach

With the  National Weather Service predicting triple-digit temperatures and thunderstorms in some areas of the region beginning Wednesday , Southern California Edison (SCE) urges its customers to stay safe while staying cool, says an SCE announcement. It adds:

SCE has also called a  Save Power Day  for Wednesday. Customers participating in the conservation program can earn up to $100 in bill credits per year for conserving energy between 2-6 pm.

The weather service is forecasting that a hot and humid weather pattern, along with  possible isolated thunderstorms , will linger over SCE’s service area, including Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, through at least Saturday.  Lightning is possible  as well.

“During heat waves and especially thunderstorms, it is important that people size up their situation and take the appropriate precautions,” said Don Neal, SCE director of Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety. “For example, if you hear thunder, even in the distance, immediately find a safe place. Fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing or hard-topped metal vehicles with closed windows are best.”

SCE also reminds customers to  never approach or touch a downed power line or dangling wire  — even if it appears not to be live — and call 911 immediately. Outages also may leave traffic signals out, so approach those intersections as four-way stops.

Customers may report or inquire about outages at 1-800-611-1911 and get the latest information from the outage page at  sce.com/outages . They can also download the “My SCE” app for outage updates on their smartphones. Updates also are shared via  Twitter .

To sign up for the Save Power Day program, go to:  sce.com/spd . Customers can select how they would like to be notified, either by phone, email or text.

To stay cool — and conserve energy — during the heat wave, SCE customers are urged to set their thermostats no lower than 78 degrees and to reduce electricity use between noon-6 p.m., the peak hours of energy usage.

Other tips to  conserve energy and stay cool , include:

• Use electric fans instead of air conditioning when practical.
• Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot periods.
• Limit how often you open your refrigerator door.
• When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work processes to morning or evening hours.

“In addition to thunderstorm precautions, customers should minimize outdoor activities during severe heat and drink plenty of water in order to stay hydrated to avoid heat illness or heat stroke,” said Neal. “And if you’re planning outdoor activities the rest of this week, monitor the weather. Don’t be caught off guard.”