After an email reminder Thursday from Southern California Edison about a power outage planned today for maintenance, Bob and Christine Paulhus of Yorba Linda started figuring out how to keep their two kids cool – and entertained – given reports that the mercury is going to keep on rising.

“I think everyone is really concerned about the high temperatures that are coming our way,” Christine Paulhus said of conversations with neighbors and on social media about the timing of power outages. By Monday, temperatures could reach as high as 107 degrees in inland Orange County and 85 in coastal areas.

Southern California Edison could not provide how many maintenance outages are planned in O.C. over the next week, however media relations project manager David Song said each one will be looked at case-by-case for whether they should be delayed because of high temperatures.

Southern California Edison serves 50,000 square miles, with multiple micro-climates to take into consideration, so one blanket decision is unrealistic, he said.

This dry heat spell is expected to last through Tuesday. The heat is caused by high pressure pushed in from the Southwest.

Paulhus said her husband is on kid duty today and is planning trips to the movies or to visit grandparents to avoid the heat and escape boredom without electricity.

One Facebooker suggested freezing gallon bottles of water ahead of time and having them in the fridge to keep food cold.

Other areas of Yorba Linda reported notices of 8 a.m.-to-5 p.m. outages on Monday, expected to be the hottest day of the heat wave.

“How does Edison plan to leave these people without fans, air conditioning or refrigeration for that length of time during the heat wave?” Barbara McKenzie wrote in an email.

Maintenance outages are scheduled so Southern California Edison can upgrade old equipment and make sure the grid and infrastructure is compatible with new technology, such as solar, Song said. Communication of planned outages typically happens a week prior via text, mail, email or door hangers.

If customers don’t get notified about a push back, Song said outages will go on as planned.

“Although there is discomfort and it’s not something that is ideal,” he said, “customers can plan around it and take measures.”

People with critical medical problems that could be affected by an outage, such as someone who depends on a respiratory machine, will be contacted by an Southern California Edison representative by phone to make sure they are notified about an outage, Song said.

Orange County customers who many have concerns or questions about planned outages can call 800-655-4555 or visit sce.com and click on “outage center.”

Contact the writer: angieratzlaff@ocregister.com 714-796-7831