LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Health officer has declared a heat alert as high temperatures have been forecast for the East San Gabriel Valley on Thursday, September 5 through Sunday, September 8. This alert may be extended if weather conditions do not improve. The Department of Public Health would like to remind everyone that precautions should be taken, especially by individuals who participate in outdoor activities, older adults, caretakers of infants and children, and those sensitive to the heat.
It is critically important to never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in homes with no air conditioning and particularly in vehicles, even with the windows ‘cracked’ or open, as temperatures inside can quickly rise to life- threatening levels.
One should heed warning and call 911 if any of the following listed symptoms occur:
Heat Cramps:
- Symptoms include muscular pains and spasms, usually in the stomach, arms or leg muscles.
- Usually results from heavy exertion, such as exercise, during extreme heat.
- Although heat cramps are the least severe of all heat- related problems, they are usually the first signal that the body is having trouble coping with hot temperatures. Heat cramps should be treated immediately with rest, fluids and getting out of the heat.
- Seek medical attention if pain is severe or nausea occurs.
Heat Exhaustion:
- Symptoms include heavy sweating, pale and clammy moist skin, extreme weakness or fatigue, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness or confusion, nausea or vomiting, fast and shallow breathing, or fainting.
- First Aid: Heat exhaustion should be treated immediately with rest in a cool area, sipping water or a sports drink, applying cool and wet cloths and elevating the feet 12 inches.
- If left untreated, victims may go into heat stroke.
- Seek medical attention if the person does not respond to the above, basic treatment.
Heat Stroke:
- Symptoms include flushed, hot, moist skin or a lack of sweat, high body temperature (above 103ºF), confusion or dizziness, possible unconsciousness, throbbing headache, rapid, or strong pulse.
- Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and occurs when a person’s temperature control system, which produces sweat, stops working.
- Heat stroke may lead to brain damage and death.
- First Aid: Call 911. Move victim to a cool shaded area. Fan the body, and spray body with water.
The listed cooling centers are effective through Sunday, September 8. For more information about the cooling centers call 211 or visit, http://211la.org.
Carson Library
151 East Carson Street. (310) 830-0901. Tue. – Thur.: 10 am – 8 pm and Sat.: 8 am – 6 pm
Dollarhide Senior Center
1108 N. Oleander Ave., Compton. (310) 605-5688. Mon. – Fri.: 8 am – 5 pm
E. Rancho Dominguez Service Center
4513 E. Compton Blvd., Compton. (310) 603-7401. Mon. – Fri.: 8 am – 5 pm
Asian Community Service Center
14112 S. Kingsley Drive, Gardena. (310) 217-7300. Mon. – Fri.: 8 am – 5 pm
Gardena Senior Citizens Bureau Nakaoka Community Center
1670 W. 162nd Street, Gardena. (310) 217-9537. Mon. – Fri.: 8 am – 9 pm and Sat.: 8 am – 1 pm
Antelope Valley Senior Center
777 W. Jackman Street, Lancaster. (661) 726-4400. Mon. – Fri.: 8 am –5 pm
Jackie Robinson Park
8773 East Avenue R, Littlerock. (661) 944-2880. Mon. – Fri.: 9 am – 9 pm and
Sat.: 8 am – 5 pm
Florence/Firestone Service Center
7807 S Compton Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 586-6502. Mon. – Fri.: 8 am – 5 pm
Roosevelt Senior Center
7600 Graham Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 586-7228. Mon. – Fri.: 8 am – 5 pm
Washington Park Gym
8908 S Maie Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 586-7205. Mon. – Fri.: 10 am – 8 pm
Willowbrook Senior Center
12915 So. Jarvis Ave., Willowbrook. (310) 217-5650. Mon. – Fri.: 8 am – 5 pm
Palmdale City Library
700 East Palmdale Blvd. (661) 267-5600. Mon. – Thur.: 10 am – 8 pm, Fri. & Sat.: 10 am – 5 pm and Sun.: 1 pm – 5 pm
Bartlett Center
1318 Cravens Ave., Torrance. (310) 320-5918. Mon. – Sat.: 8 am – 4 pm and Sun.: 12:30 pm – 4 pm
Katy Geissert Main Library
3301 Torrance Blvd., Torrance. (310) 618-5959. Mon. – Thur.: 10 am – 9 pm, Fri.: 10 am – 6 pm and Sat.: 10 am – 5:30pm