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As summer officially begins on Wednesday, PG&E officials are urging customers to prepare for rising temperatures and extreme fire danger this weekend, with nearly 100 degree temperatures in interior valley locations and dry northerly winds in foothill regions.

Power demand during hot summer weather can overload electrical equipment causing power outages, which occur when circuit breakers or other protective equipment shut off the flow of power in order to prevent further damage to the electrical system. Although heat related outages are possible over the weekend, a major heat wave is not expected.

In order to stay cool and safe, Danville residents are encouraged to do the following:

Stay in the shade
Direct sunlight can speed up the effect the heat has on your body. Do outdoor activities in the morning or evening hours, avoid being in the afternoon heat.

Stay hydrated
Keep drinking plenty of water, even if you're not thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

Take showers
A cool shower or bath is a great way to stay cool and much more effective than using an electric fan.

Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing
If you are outside, don't forget to wear a hat or carry an umbrella to protect your head and neck.

Wear sunscreen
Protect your skin and reduce the risk of sunburn, which affects your body's ability to cool itself.

PG&E also encourages customers to keep thermostats at 78 degrees while at home and 85 degrees when away to save on high energy bills. Those elderly, frail or heat-sensitive residents should lower their thermostats to a cool and comfortable level to avoid a heat-related illness. To combat dehydration and heat fatigue, keep many bottles of water in the refrigerator.

In addition to switching off unnecessary lights, customers should avoid using appliances during the hottest part of the day and are encouraged to use the microwave to heat food instead of the oven. If you have a pool, reset your pool pump to run during off-peak hours of the day.

PG&E provides cash rebates for the use of selected energy efficient equipment. Call the smarter energy line at (800) 933-9555 to find rebates.

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