Heat wave continues in City of Los Angeles

The triple-digit temperatures may worsen air quality.

July 10, 2012  

MEDIA CONTACTS

Chris Ipsen (213) 359-2234

Veronica Hendrix (213) 505-5461

The National Weather Service forecasts that hot conditions will continue across the City of Los Angeles through Thursday, July 12.  Temperatures could reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the San Fernando Valley. Mountain and desert thunderstorms are also possible during the afternoon and evening hours through Friday, July 13. Temperatures are expected to cool down by Friday. 

The low humidity, high temperatures and dry brush around the mountain regions raise fire concerns. Residents living near brush areas should clear the brush around their homes and make sure they have an evacuation and emergency plan in place. Visit readyla.org, the City’s readiness, response and recovery website, for more information. 

The hot and dry conditions associated with heat waves may worsen air quality. If you plan to be outdoors, the risk of heat exhaustion, heat cramps and sunstrokes increases. The Emergency Management Department (EMD) encourages the public to take precautions in order to protect themselves from the effects of the heat in the following ways:

Find a cooling center:

Designated City facilities are used as cooling centers to provide the public with relief from the heat.  City facilities are always open to the public during regular business hours. Those facilities include Recreation and Parks (RAP) facilities, senior citizen centers operated by RAP and City libraries. During periods of high temperatures, the City may extend the hours of such facilities beyond regular business hours. At this time, the City has not extended any facility’s hours beyond normal business hours. 

For more information regarding City facilities, contact the following: 

• RAP Facilities - hours of operation vary by facility. The public can find specific hours of operation at www.laparks.org. RAP facilities are physically accessible to persons with access and functional needs
• Library Facilities - hours of operation for libraries vary by facility. The general public should visit www.lapl.org/branches or call (213) 228-7000 for specific hours of operation.
• City operated senior centers - hours of operation vary by facility. Call (323) 816-6712 or visit http://www.laparks.org/dos/senior/senior.htm

Follow These 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 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. 
• 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.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reports no power outages at this time. Power outages can be reported by calling DWP’s Customer Service Line at 1-800-DIALDWP (342-5397). 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. 

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

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: The Conservation Law Foundation/ Flickr Creative Commons