Excessive heat continues in Los Angeles
Select cooling facilities will remain open over the weekend until 9 p.m.
The locations of cooling centers with extended hours are noted above in yellow.
The Los Angeles Office of the National Weather Service forecasts that excessive heat will continue over the weekend in Los Angeles. Temperatures in the west and north San Fernando Valley could climb as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The relative humidity will make temperatures feel even hotter.
Cooling Facilities
To help Angelenos during this period of excessive heat, the following Recreation and Parks facilities will be open on Saturday, August 11th and Sunday, August 12th until 9:00 p.m.
(click on links to open in Google Maps)
Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center
7326 Jordan Ave.
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 340-2633
North Hollywood Recreation Center
11430 Chandler Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 763-7651
Sunland Senior Citizen Center
8640 Fenwick St.
Sunland, CA 91040
(818) 353-9571
Sepulveda Recreation Center
8801 Kester Ave.
Panorama City, CA 91402
(818) 893-3700
Sylmar Recreation Center
13109 Borden Ave.
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 367-5656
Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center
5060 Van Nuys Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 981-1284
Pet Safety in Extreme Heat
The Los Angeles Animal Services Department reports that there has been an increase in the number of calls reported regarding pets being left in vehicles. Some of those calls have required the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department due to the distress of those pets. Too much heat can be extremely dangerous or even fatal for pets. To protect your pet from the summer heat, the Los Angeles Animal Services Department offers the following safety tips:
- Always make sure that your dog or cat has plenty of fresh water to drink. A bucket that holds a gallon or more of water will stay cool longer than water in a shallow pan. Some dogs consider ice cubes a treat, and you can add a few to the water bowl.
- Dogs and cats do sweat a little through the pads of their feet. Dogs often enjoy having cool water on their feet. Some dogs enjoy walking through or even lying in a child’s wading pool.
- It is dangerous to leave your dog or cat in a car alone for more than five minutes. If the animal cannot go inside at every stop with you, the pet is safer at home on hot days. Car interiors heat very quickly in the hot sun, even with the windows open. If it is 85 degrees outside, it will climb to 102 degrees Fahrenheit inside your car within ten minutes. In half an hour, it will reach 120 degrees or more. If it is 90 degrees Fahrenheit out, temperatures can top 160 degrees Fahrenheit faster than you can walk around the block.
- While walking your dog outdoors, pay particular attention the hot pavements or sidewalks that can burn their feet. Early morning and later evening walks are preferable.
- Animals that go outside need access to shade. Dark coats absorb heat. Lighter coated animals, especially white ones, are at higher risk for skin cancer from exposure to the sun and they are more susceptible to sunburn.
- Longer coated dogs and cats that are brushed regularly have natural insulation from the heat. However, if the coat is matted, a trim will make your pet much more comfortable. Remember, newly clipped animals can get sunburned.
- If your pet spends time in the yard, make sure he or she has access to shade. Shaded trees, a covered patio or a cool spot under the porch can help keep your pet comfortable.
People with Disabilities, Access and Functional Needs
City facilities provide reasonable accommodations to ensure accessibility and effective communication for people with disabilities, access and functional needs. For more information, visit: http://disability.lacity.org/.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
No heat related outages have been reported at this time. Should power outages occur, residents who require power to run medical or other life saving equipment can contact DWP’s Customer Service Line at 1-800-DIALDWP (342-5397), or go to www.ladwp.com for more information about their Lifeline Services Program.
Other Tips to Beat the Heat:
During periods of extreme heat, there is an increased risk of heat exhaustion, heat cramps and sunstroke. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself against extreme heat:
- Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty. Attempt to stay hydrated. Persons who have epilepsy; heart, kidney or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
- Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim, when in the sun and use sunscreen.
- Check on family members, seniors, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
- Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
- Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.
- Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers.
- Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
- Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
- Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
- Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
- Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.
To learn more preparedness tips, visit readyla.org, the City’s official readiness, response and recovery website. Sign up to have emergency notifications sent to you whether at home or on the go at alert.lacounty.gov.
EMD Social Media and Information Sites
Twitter (twitter.com/readyla)
Facebook (www.facebook.com/readylaemd)
readyla.org
emergency.lacity.org
EMD Information Helpline (800) 439-2909
About the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department
In 2000 the Los Angeles City Council and Mayor established, by ordinance, the Emergency Management Department (EMD). EMD is dedicated to leading the City in comprehensive emergency management planning, mitigation and preparation as well as response to and recovery from natural, manmade and accidental incidents of high consequence.
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Photo Credit: Cat’s_101/ Flickr Creative Commons
