February 24, 2004

ROSEMEAD, Calif., Feb. 24, 2004 —With a new winter storm system ready to hit  the coast Wednesday, Southern California Edison (SCE) is reminding customers to keep safe if they experience a power outage.  As always, SCE crews will work day and night to restore service as quickly as possible.  If you should lose power, here are some important safety tips to follow:

  • If you see a power line on the ground, stay away whether it’s sparking  or not.  Never touch a downed power line.  Call SCE at (800) 611-1911 to report the location and to let us know that your power is out.  
  • Use flashlights for lighting, not candles since they create a fire hazard.
  • Turn off and unplug all electrical appliances and equipment, except for a single light, which will be your signal that power has been restored.  This helps to prevent circuit overloading, which can delay service restoration. 
  • Don’t use equipment designed for outdoor cooking indoors.  Such equipment – including charcoal and gas grills – can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases that can harm you and your family. 
  • If you use a generator, operate it only outdoors, in a well-ventilated area.  Do not connect it to your household circuits.  This creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.  Instead, plug individual appliances directly into the generator, using a heavy-duty extension cord.  If you have an electric generator that is, or can be connected to your electrical or utility wiring, state law requires that you advise SCE of its location.  Call SCE at (800) 611-1911 to receive a notification card that you can fill out and mail back.
  • Stock up now on emergency supplies like flashlights, batteries, a portable radio and wind-up or battery-powered clock, plus a phone with a cord (unless you have a cell phone) since cordless phones do not operate in a power outage.


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An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 12 million via 4.5 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California.