LONG BEACH, CA – With excessive temperatures expected this week, City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, is advising residents to take precautions against the heat. The National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the mid to high 90s in parts of Long Beach beginning today.
City Parks, Recreation and Marine Community Centers and Long Beach Public Library locations are available as designated cooling centers during their normal business hours. Please contact Community Centers and Library locations ahead of time to confirm they are open in the case of any planned or unexpected closures. While the current weather conditions do not require the activation of additional cooling centers beyond the existing operations, the Health Department will continue to monitor the forecast and reevaluate as needed.
Older adults, those with chronic illnesses, infants and young children are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses. However, everyone should take precautions to reduce the risk of heat-related illness and injury by practicing the following:
- Visit air-conditioned environments during peak heat (noon to 4 p.m.), such as stores, malls, theaters, etc. or visit one of the City-operated cooling centers noted above. To learn more and view any additional cooling centers that have been activated, visit longbeach.gov/CoolingCenters.
- Check on friends, family and neighbors who are home-bound to make sure they are not affected by the heat.
- Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or asleep in direct sunlight.
- Drink plenty of water before, during and after outdoor activities.
- Make sure pets have plenty of shade and water to drink.
- Take frequent breaks while working or playing outdoors.
- Wear loose-fitting, light clothing and wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover the face, ears and neck if you will be outside.
- Apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) 15 minutes before going outdoors and re-apply at least every two hours.
- Avoid beverages that have caffeine or alcohol.
- Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, and limit time outside during peak heat.
- Pace physical activities, starting slowly and picking up the pace gradually.
- Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Chronic exposure to the sun can cause cataracts.
- Move to a cooler location at first sign of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps), rest and slowly drink a cool liquid.
- Prevent children from drowning by providing entry-proof barriers around pools and spas, as well as adult supervision while children are near water.
For more tips, visit: longbeach.gov/extremeheat and follow the Health Department on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.