Summer months bring fun, sun, and heat! Sometimes, the heat can become dangerous, especially for children, pets, people who work outside, and people with certain health conditions. Staying safe in high heat is important. Follow these simple tips to stay cool:
- Drink plenty of cool water! Stay hydrated.
- Wear loose, light-colored clothing that will keep you cool. Wear sunscreen and a hat for protection.
- Check on neighbors who might be vulnerable to the heat, especially those without air conditioning.
- Never leave children or pets in a car - not even for one minute. Temperatures inside a car can quickly skyrocket to deadly levels.
- If you work or play outside, take frequent breaks to hydrate and cool off in the shade.
- Don't forget the pets! Keep pets indoors if possible. If kept outside, give them plenty of water and shade to rest in.
- Symptoms of heat-related illness include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps, and increased thirst. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention.
For more information, please visit https://www.climate4la.org/heat-relief-4-la/.
Visit a Cooling Center
If you need to cool off, the City of LA offers cooling centers where you can beat the heat. These cooling centers are in LA City facilities where you can enjoy recreation programming or a good book while you cool off. Cooling centers are open and available during regular hours of operation unless otherwise noted. The City's Department on Disability works to provide reasonable accommodation to ensure accessibility and effective communications for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs at cooling centers. You can call 3-1-1 from within LA City or call 2-1-1 within LA County to find out more about cooling center locations and hours of operation.
LA County Cooling Centers
The County of Los Angeles’ Cooling Center Program identifies free places where any member of the public can go to find relief during hot summer days. For a map and hours of operations of cooling centers, in the larger L.A. County area, please visit http://lacounty.gov/heat/
Don't Forget About Your Pets
When it’s too hot for you, it’s even hotter for your four-legged friends. As Southern California begins to enter a heat wave, Los Angeles Animal Services would like to remind you that too much heat can be extremely dangerous or even fatal for companion animals. Remember, dogs and cats try to cool themselves by panting or rapid breathing and they do not sweat through their skin.