Excessive heat warning in LA: Cancelled
All City cooling centers have returned to regular business hours.
The National Weather Service has cancelled its excessive heat warning effective today, July 12, 2012. All designated cooling centers in the City of Los Angeles whose hours were extended to 9:00 p.m. return to regular business hours.
City facilities are always open to residents seeking relief from the heat during normal business hours. Those facilities include libraries, city-operated senior centers and Recreation and Parks (RAP) locations. To find a cooling center near you and hours of operation, call 3-1-1 or click here.
Health Concern: Preventing vehicular heat stroke fatalities
High temperatures can cause vehicular heat stroke fatalities. It is imperative that adults never leave children (or pets) alone in cars. Individuals should be particularly mindful of this during periods of excessive heat. The Los Angeles Police Department has provided several tips for preventing vehicular heat stroke: Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle, even if the windows are partly open or the engine and air conditioning are running. Look inside the vehicle, front and back, before walking away. Place a purse, briefcase or other necessary item in the back seat so you’ll see a child or pet left behind. Don’t let kids play in an unattended vehicle. Lock the car doors and trunk and keep the keys out of a child’s reach. Ask your day-care provider to call if your child doesn’t show up on time. If a child is missing, check the car and trunk. Call 911 if you see a child or pet left inside a vehicle.
For more information on vehicular heat stroke deaths among children, visit KidsAndCars.org.
Tips to help beat the 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.
- 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 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. Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks. Slow down and avoid strenuous activity.
For general information regarding safety when temperatures are high, visit our website at readyla.org.
EMD Social Media and Information Sites:
- Twitter (twitter.com/readyla)
- Facebook (facebook.com/readylaemd)
- readyla.org
- emergency.lacity.org
- EMD Information Helpline (800) 439-2909 L.A.
- City 3-1-1 Information Line (8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.)
About the 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.
Photo Credit: igloo101/ Flickr Creative Commons
