Power outages, planned and unplanned, can be caused by many things: traffic accidents, routine maintenance, damage to power lines, and most commonly storms and high winds. All electric customers should have an emergency plan in place to follow when a power outage occurs, especially if you or a loved one requires electricity for a medical device. Here are some tips to help you know what to do before, during and after a power outage occurs.
Tips to stay safe before, during and after a power outage
Before an outage
- Create an emergency plan for your family, including any pets and livestock, and prepare a supply kit. Make sure to discuss with household members and children. For easier planning, use our emergency checklists.
- Plug your electronics and large appliances into surge protectors or other power protection devices to prevent a power surge from damaging electrical equipment.
- Know how to manually open and close any electric security or garage doors and gates.
- Investing in a generator is the most reliable way of providing your home with electricity in the event of an outage. If you already have one, learn how to safely operate it before needed.
- Register for My Energy Center if you haven’t already and make sure your contact information is up to date to help us communicate with you.
- Stay informed by signing up for outage notifications on My Energy Center.
You've got the power at your fingertips
Stay connected with outage information, view and report outages, and more with our SDG&E mobile app.
- Check whether the outage is limited to your home as soon as it occurs. If there is a problem with your breaker, one or more of the switches may be turned off. Simply turn it back on and power should be restored.
- If your neighbors don’t have power either, report the outage with our easy-to-use mobile app or call us at 1-800-411-SDGE.
- To avoid an overload, unplug TVs, appliances and electronics, and turn off light switches, but leave one light on somewhere you’re going to see it when the power comes back on.
- Use flashlights or a bright lantern rather than candles, as they can tip over and cause a fire.
- Refrain from opening your fridge or freezer door—you let cold air out, and your food won’t be re-cooled until the power is restored.
- Visit our outage map to view up-to-date outages in your area, and check updates and restoration times.
Don't be left in the dark
A portable or standby generator keeps your power on during an outage. Find out how to choose one depending on your energy needs and what to know about using a backup generator.
- Wait a few minutes before turning on electronics. This will help eliminate problems that could occur if there’s a surge in demand immediately after power is restored.
- Check on neighbors and friends in the area.
- Reset any clocks, automatic timers and alarms.
- If electrical power lines are down, don’t touch them. Report any downed lines to 911 and call us immediately at 1-800-411-7343.
Planned Outages
Every year, we schedule about 5,000 system upgrades to improve your service. In order to perform our work safely, we will need to temporarily interrupt your electric service.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs
As a last resort, we might need to shut off your electricity for public safety.