In Preparation Ahead of Heatwave, Mayor Announces the Opening of Additional Augmented Cooling Centers

LOS ANGELES – The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning in the Los Angeles region through July 24. Find Below immediate actions to protect Angelenos over the coming days and resources to assist Angelenos in staying cool. 

Immediately Opening Augmented Cooling Centers

The City of Los Angeles has hundreds of locations open for relief from the heat including Recreation and Parks facilities and local library branches. For location and hours of operation, visit https://www.laparks.org/reccenter and https://www.lapl.org/branches. Angelenos can also call 3-1-1 from within L.A. City to learn more.

10 City Libraries are open on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Find your closest branch here. The city is also working to open additional libraries in high heat areas during off hours. The following libraries will be amending their hours to be open on Sunday from1 to 5 p.m. Visit https://www.lapl.org/branches for additional hours of operations. 

Safety Tips For Angelenos To Avoid Heat Injury

• Seek shade and refuge from the hot sun if you must be outside.
• Stay hydrated and drink more water, especially if you drink coffee or soda.
• Check in on and prepare your household, family, friends, pets and workplace.
• Limit your exposure to direct sunlight between 1 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• If you feel ill, tell someone immediately. Symptoms of dehydration and heat illness may include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, nausea, muscle cramps, headache and vomiting.
• Symptoms of heat stroke include:
  • High body temperature (103°F or higher)
  • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
  • Fast, strong pulse
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Losing consciousness (passing out)
• In the event of a heat stroke:
  • Call 911 right away – heat stroke is a medical emergency
  • Move the person to a cooler place
  • Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
  • Do not give the person anything to drink
• Listen to your body, and remember that those with chronic illness such as asthma, heart disease etc., are more vulnerable to extreme heat. Please take extra precautions.
• Click here for more safety tips from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
• Click here for safety tips in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and more.

Proactively Planning To Minimize Power Outages 

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power or LADWP is working to reduce the risk of power outages in Los Angeles. LADWP will work around the clock to meet customer demand over the period of the heat wave. LADWP electric trouble crews are fully staffed and ready to respond to power outages, should they occur. Additional crews are also on standby to assist as needed. 

In the event of a power outage: 

• Report power outages at www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
• LADWP customers can sign up to receive outage alerts via text or email at www.ladwp.com/outagealert.
• LADWP also shares updates on outage restoration progress to affected communities via  NextDoor.com.

To find out more about LADWP’s rebates and programs, click here.

Pools & Splash Pads

The Department of Recreation and Parks will offer these facilities during hours of operation to the public. Click here for more information. 

Spreading Heat Safety Awareness

The Mayor’s office and the city’s chief heat opfficer are working in sync with city departments and bureaus, L.A. County, and a network of NGOs, to build heat safety awareness and prepare for heat risks in a proactive, coordinated, and equity-driven approach. The city has launched a multilingual heat safety campaign, “Heat Relief 4 LA”, which includes information in multiple languages to help keep Angelenos safe during extreme heat events this summer. The public service announcement can also be found on bus shelters in various languages throughout the city of LA. Learn more here. 

Protecting Our Pets From Extreme Heat

In preparation for extreme heat, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services offers these tips to keep your animals safe:

• Avoid walking pets during the warmest parts of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). If you must walk your pet, avoid hot surfaces.
• Never leave your pet alone inside a vehicle. A car can overheat even when a window has been slightly opened.

• Give your pet extra water. Always make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink. If your pet enjoys ice cubes, add them to their water dish.
• Keep pets indoors (if possible) during hot weather, but if you keep them outside, ensure they have adequate shade to escape the sun, and ensure that they have plenty of fresh water nearby.
• Avoid hot surfaces. Touch the ground first before venturing out. If the surface is too hot to touch with your hand or bare feet, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.

For more information about LA Animal Services and tips to keep pets and people safe, click here.