The City of Los Angeles will offer residents relief from the high temperatures at cooling centers in Libraries, Senior Citizen Centers and Recreation and Parks facilities.

According to the National Weather Service hot temperatures continue to strengthen, and are expanding across Southern California and will remain through the weekend. As a result temperatures will continue to warm significantly, peaking Thursday (7/15) through Saturday (7/17). The marine layer closer to the coast will keep temperatures at or just above seasonal norms for this time of year.

With the hot summer days having arrived, it is imperative that we protect our health and those of our loved ones. If for any reason your AC is not working, try to go somewhere where it is cooler. To provide the public with relief from the heat, City facilities will be utilized as cooling centers. Those facilities include Libraries, Senior Citizen Centers, and Recreation and Parks facilities.

The following Recreation and Parks and Senior Centers located in the San Fernando Valley will be open on Saturday (7/17) from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm and on Sunday (7/18) from Noon to 9:00 pm to provide relief from
the heat:

• Sepulveda Rec Center/Mid-Valley Senior Citizen Center, 8801 Kester Avenue, Panorama City
• Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center, 7326 Jordan Avenue, Canoga Park
• North Hollywood Senior Citizen Center, 11430 Chandler Boulevard, North Hollywood
• Sunland Park Senior Citizen Center, 8640 Fenwick Street, Sunland
• Sylmar Recreation Center, 13109 Borden Avenue, Sylmar
• Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Senior Citizen Center, 5040 Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Oaks
• Wilkinson Senior Citizen Center, 8956 Vanalden Avenue, Northridge

The Department of Water and Power (DWP) is reporting no unusual occurrences regarding electrical demands at this time. However, since energy use does tend to spike during periods of hot weather, the DWP offers a few ways to conserve energy during this heat wave.

• Turn off lights when not in use.
• Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage.
• Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day-use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.
• Try to avoid cooking during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home.
• Ventilate your home at night by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.

During periods of excessive heat there is an increased risk of heat exhaustion, heat cramps and sunstroke. Here’s what you can do when the weather gets extremely hot:

• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
• Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
• Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.
• Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
• Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
• Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• Check on family, seniors, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.

More information regarding City facilities can be located at:

• 3-1-1
• (213) 228-7000 to locate a library or visit http://www.lapl.org/branches/
• http://www.laparks.org/dos/senior/senior.htm for a list of Senior Citizen Centers.
• www.laparks.org for specific hours of operation for Recreation and Parks facilities.

Please, stay hydrated, check on elderly and infirm friends and neighbors frequently, and bring your pets inside to the air conditioning! And please don’t leave ANY living thing in a closed vehicle for even a minute!