Be prepared for an emergency

You did it! We are a safer California

Congratulations! Because of your efforts, and your commitment to a safer California, we've reached our goal of 50,000 people pledging to create an emergency game plan. As one of the people who have taken the pledge you may have already made a game plan, but if you haven't, this holiday break is the perfect time to gather your family around the kitchen table and put a plan together.

From the Red Cross:

The American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter would like to thank the 50,000 people who took the pledge to make a disaster preparedness game plan over the last month. With your support and a generous donation from PG&E, the Bay Area will now be more prepared when a disaster strikes, with all funds raised going directly to Ready Neighborhoods, an innovative multi-year initiative designed to increase disaster preparedness and readiness in 50 targeted communities throughout the Bay Area.

Learn more about Ready Neighborhoods here.

Thank you for your continued support of this campaign. From all of us at PG&E and the Red Cross, have a safe and happy holiday season.

It's the holiday season, and with it comes Christmas trees, decorations, and that awkward moment when Dad tries to string the lights across the roof. As many of you decorate your homes this week, it's important to remember that, if not done responsibly, the holidays can be hazardous. PG&E wants to ensure that you and your family have a safe and happy holiday with these easy safety tips:

•Try to use mainly LED lights (they are safe to touch and greatly reduce the risk of fire) and always turn off decorative lights when leaving the house and before going to bed.
•Follow the manufacturer's limits for the number of light strings that can be connected together safely and check that there are no cracked or broken plugs, frayed insulation, or bare wires.
•Do not place your tree near a heat source (such as a fireplace or heat vent).
•Before stringing outdoor lights make sure they are approved for outdoor use and will stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.

For more helpful tips and information about holiday safety, visit PG&E's website.
And help your friends and loved ones to also have a safe and emergency-free holiday season by inviting them to make a game plan for their households!

A powerful storm is forecast to bring heavy rain and high winds to Northern California through the weekend. The winds, combined with ground-saturating rain, could result in falling trees taking down power lines and poles and interrupting electric service.

Customers can call our 24-hour Outage Service Line at 1-800-743-5002 to report an outage, to report a hazardous condition or to get the latest information on outages in their community. Outage information is also available online through a live outage map and storm guide at www.pge.com/outages.

Please remember to be safe: if you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.

Stay safe and dry out there Californians.

Daniel Martinez has spent the past 28 years working as a PG&E electric-crew foreman in San Francisco. When Daniel's not on the job, suspended 20 feet up on a power pole, he's teaching communities across California about electrical-safety. Daniel explains that being prepared is critical to keeping you and your loved ones safe in any type of emergency, whether a downed power line or a natural disaster. The first step to staying safe is creating a 3-point game plan. It's easier than you think.

Step 1: Have a communication plan so that you and your loved ones know how to contact one another during an emergency. It's helpful to designate a friend or relative who lives out of town to be your emergency contact.

Step 2: Designate a meeting place outside of your household where everyone can reunite. The meeting place should be one right outside your home and another outside your neighborhood, such as a library, community center, or place of worship.

Step 3: Have an emergency preparedness kit, a collection of basic items (such as water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, etc.) that can sustain each person in your household for at least three days during a crisis.

Ready to make your own emergency game plan? You can begin with this easy, editable Family Disaster Plan Template in English and Spanish to help you create a unique plan for your household.

Once your game plan is ready to go, share it with relatives and close friends and encourage them to take PG&E's pledge to make an emergency game plan of their own.

Like PG&E, the San Francisco 49ers know the importance of having a great game plan. Whether avoiding a potential gas leak or the opposing team's defensive line - it's always best to be prepared. That was the message the 49ers shared with fans at this week's Monday Night football game against the Chicago Bears. During a special on-field ceremony before kick-off, the team recognized several individuals for their efforts around emergency preparedness. One honoree, Angie Gibson, is a member of PG&E's electric emergency management team who recently helped restore power in New York in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

As game time neared, the Niners closed the ceremony by challenging the crowd gathered at Candlestick park, and all other Californians watching at home, to always be prepared for a crisis by taking PG&E's pledge to make an emergency game plan. Did your friends miss the game? Invite them to take the pledge here!