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Heat Alert: County Cooling Centers Available
From
staff reports
LOS
ANGELES – Due to the recent spate of hot weather, county cooling
centers are available for seniors or for those looking for a place
to beat the heat.
The county cooling centers are open during normal business hours, Monday
through Friday. Some county cooling centers are open over the weekends,
including county libraries. A list of these centers, locations, and
hours of operation, can be found at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov or
people can call the county's information and referral line from any
land or cell phone by dialing 2-1-1. Please call ahead of time to make
sure a cooling center is open.
If a cooling center is not available during the evenings or over the
weekend, people are encouraged to visit public facilities such as libraries,
shopping malls and parks.
"Prolonged exposure to the heat either in a home without air conditioning
or outdoors may cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and
heat stroke," said Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, county health officer
and Public Health director.
"Never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in closed
vehicles, even with the windows 'cracked', since temperatures inside
can quickly rise to life-threatening levels."
If you plan to be outdoors, take precautions to protect yourself from
the heat. Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness,
fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps, and increased thirst.
Individuals with these symptoms should be moved to a cooler, shaded
place and given water or sport drinks. More severe symptoms such as
diminished judgment, disorientation, pale and clammy skin, a rapid
and weak pulse, and/or fast and shallow breathing may indicate heat
exhaustion or impending heat stroke and requires immediate medical
attention.
Several tips for beating the heat include:
•
Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
•
Drink water or sports drinks often (do not wait until you are thirsty),
and avoid drinking alcohol.
•
Offer help to those in your neighborhood with limited access to air
conditioning and transportation, such as seniors or those who are ill.
Check on them frequently or take them to a location with air conditioning.
•
Avoid unnecessary exertion, such as vigorous exercise during peak sun
hours, if you are outside or in a non-air conditioned building.
•
Stay out of the sun if you do not need to be in it. When in the sun,
wear sunscreen, wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim, and loose-fitting
clothing with long sleeves and pants.
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