Triple-digit temperatures are expected in the Antelope Valley this weekend with county officials urging residents, particularly seniors, to protect themselves and stay safe during the heat wave.
If you plan to be outdoors, avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when burning rays are the strongest. Reduce physical activity as much as possible and while outdoors, remember to wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Try to avoid hot, heavy meals that include proteins. While inside, set your air conditioner between 75 and 80 degrees. If you don’t have air conditioning, take a cool (or cold) shower and remember to check on elderly neighbors and relatives who don’t have air conditioning.
Always drink plenty of liquids even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid alcohol as well as smoking. Also, use sun screen with a protective factor of at least 15 if you need to be in the sun. Pets need plenty of clean, fresh water on hot days, and try to keep them in the shade as much as possible.
Symptoms of human dehydration and heat cramps can include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst.
County health officials recommend that elderly persons visit a cooling center. The following is a list of nearby facilities:
—Lancaster, Antelope Valley Senior Center, 777 W. Jackman St., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, (661) 726-4400;
—Littlerock, Jackie Robinson Park, 8773 E. Avenue R, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, (661) 944-2880;
—Palmdale, Palmdale City Library, 700 E. Palmdale Blvd., 10 a.m to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, (661) 267-5600;
—Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita Old Town Public Library, 24500 Main St., (661) 259-8942;
—Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita Public Library, 18601 Soledad Canyon, (661) 250-3301;
—Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita Public Library, 23743 W. Valencia Blvd., (661) 259-8332. The Santa Clarita libraries, with the exception of the Valencia Boulevard location (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday) are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday;
—Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, 22900 Market St., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (661) 259-9444.
To find additional county cooling center locations, call 211.
