September 2026 NEW CONTENT IS LIVE ON ENERGIZED! For more safety tips, visit: sce.com/safety.

Power Up Safely This School Year

Southern California Edison reminds students who are headed back to campus to keep electrical and fire safety in mind.
Published on September 28, 2026 by Edison writer Cody Sargenti

In the age of electronics, students are heading to college campuses with more electrical and battery-powered devices than ever.

As part of Campus Fire Safety Month dorm electrical safety and proper handling of lithium-ion batteries should be some of the first lessons students learn this semester.

September is a peak month for campus fires. From 2020 to 2024, U.S. fire departments responded to over 3,000 structure fires in dormitories and other student housing, including fires caused by lithium-ion batteries often found in laptops, phones, e-bikes and e-scooters.

When damaged, improperly charged or exposed to extreme temperatures, these batteries can overheat, catch fire or even explode, resulting in serious injury or death. Of fires reported to The Center for Campus Fire Safety, 11% resulted in injuries requiring medical attention, respiratory treatment or post-incident counseling services.

Lithium-ion battery safety tips:

• Store and charge lithium-ion devices safely: Keep rechargeable batteries away from heat, direct sunlight and flammable materials. Do not leave them charging unattended or overnight.
• Know the signs of battery trouble: If a battery swells, smells strange or becomes very hot, stop using it. Recycle damaged batteries properly and never throw them in the trash.
• Use the correct charger: Use the charger designed for your device and plug it directly into an outlet, not an extension cord or adapter. Always charge on a hard, flat surface with good airflow.
• Keep doors and hallways clear: Don’t store e-mobility devices where they can block escape routes or fire department access.

Other dorm safety tips:

• Don’t overload outlets: Too many devices plugged into one outlet can trip breakers or start fires. Avoid using power strips with higher-power devices such as appliances.
• Inspect cords and plugs during move-in: Damaged cords can cause electrical shock or spark fires. Look for frayed wires, bent prongs or scorch marks.

Energized website is here:  //energized.edison.com/

NEW CONTENT IS LIVE ON ENERGIZED!

From March of 2026…tips for hot weather that are still good for this fall season!

As we head into a very warm Fall season…here are some tips from Southern California Edison ! 

Tips to stay cool and save on electricity:

•  Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and to 85 degrees or “off” when you are away.
•  Give your air conditioner a rest when you can and cool your home with open windows and fans.
•  Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
•  Close your blinds to keep the afternoon heat out.
•  Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators.
•  Plug home electronics into power strips and turn off power strips when equipment is not in use.
•  Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they are not in use.
•  Give your dryer a break and hang-dry your clothes.
•  Cook with a grill outside or microwave to keep your home cooler.

Should hot weather create a power outage in your neighborhood, you should have the SCE outage information sheet handy….see below for how to get the information sheet…

Download and print this Southern California Edison outage information sheet to keep track of important personal information during on outage, including emergency contacts, locations for supplies, and important medical information.

Click here to download the Outage Information Kit PDF

Once you fill it out, post it on your refrigerator and share a copy with someone outside of your household in case of emergency.

For more safety tips relating to weather events and other stories about SCE’s efforts to help the communities they serve, go to the Energized SCE website here:  https://energized.edison.com/

SCE VIDEO: How a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Helps Prevent Wildfires