It’s about to get a lot hotter in Southern California.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for the area starting Friday. Relief from the triple-digit temperatures is not expected until early next week.

San Bernardino and Riverside counties and the Inland Empire are forecast to be hit the hardest with temperatures reaching as high as 110 to 117 degrees.

Southern California Edison (SCE) reminds customers to stay as cool and safe as possible and to avoid heat-related injuries during excessive heat days.

“Our No.1 priority is to help keep our customers safe,” said Don Neal, SCE director of Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety. “We encourage customers to keep outdoor activities to a minimum and drink plenty of water during the hottest parts of the day.”

SCE also offers a variety of programs to help keep electricity bills down, including the  Save Power Day

A Save Power Day has been called for Monday. Customers can earn up to $100 in bill credits per year for conserving energy between 2-6 p.m. 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.

Here are a few tips to conserve energy and stay cool:

  • Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees.
  • Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot periods.
  • Use electric fans instead of air conditioning when practical.
  • Reduce electricity use between noon-6 p.m. — peak hours of energy use.
  • Shut off lights when leaving a room.
  • Limit how often you open your refrigerator door.
  • Avoid air conditioner use when evaporative coolers or humidifiers are running.
  • When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work processes to morning or evening hours.