City of Pasadena Advises to Take Precautions Against Hot Temps

PASADENA, Calif.--It's HOT out there, Pasadena! The City wishes to remind everyone to take precautions against the heat and stay connected to the City for any emergency alerts and updates.

Bookmark and check the City's main homepage of the website, CityOfPasadena.net, for updates on changing conditions, including possible emergency conditions, Red Flag Alerts or other citywide announcements.

The high rain season this year means area vegetation sprouted and brush is now getting dry. Pasadena Fire Department officials urge extra care when using landscaping equipment as sparks from such equipment or vehicles can ignite brush fires. Remember to discard cigarettes properly; use extra caution with barbecues and be vigilant around swimming pools.

Pasadena Public Health and safety officials offer the following reminders to prevent heat-related illnesses:

• If possible, stay indoors in an air-conditioned environment, especially young children and older adults. If your home or apartment is not air conditioned, consider going to a public library or a designated cooling center.
• Drink water often! Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink water. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, fatigue, confusion, extreme thirst, dark-colored urine, and less frequent urination.
• Remember to check on your neighbors, family, and friends-especially older adults-to make sure they're fine. Take them extra water or a cool beverage.
• Air quality can easily degrade during hot weather. If you have heart disease, asthma, or other lung disease; minimize outdoor activity to reduce heat-related illness.
• Wear light and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Seek shady spots; wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim; and use plenty of sunscreen!
• Avoid/reduce unnecessary exertion or vigorous exercise, whether outside or in a non-air-conditioned building, especially during peak heat hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Never leave anyone unattended in closed vehicles, including pets! If you do leave pets unattended in your vehicle, it is now lawful for people to forcibly open your car to rescue them. For more pet care tips, visit PasadenaHumane.org.
• Make sure your pets have easy access to water and a cool place to stay.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

During high heat, Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) reminds customers that energy conservation can be a priority while still protecting your health and safety. To practice energy conservation during this high usage period, PWP customers can:

• Ventilate your home in the early morning and evening by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate. Close window curtains, shades, or blinds during warmer hours to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight coming indoors.
• Adjust air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage during the hottest hours of the day when air conditioning systems have to work the hardest to cool. When away from home, turn air conditioning systems off.
• Reduce energy use during peak times by limiting the use of major appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and dishwashers during those hours.
• Charge electric vehicles before or after peak hours.
• Turn off lights and unplug "energy vampires" like fully-charged cell phones plugged into chargers, computers, laptops, charging cables, and other appliances that use energy even when not in use.
• Avoid using the stove and range if possible, which can help to keep temperatures down indoors.

Pasadena residents and businesses with any power emergencies should call Pasadena Water and Power at (626) 744-4673. For water-related emergencies, call (626) 744-4138. For more information, visit PWPweb.com.

COOLING CENTER

The Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., is the only pre-designated Cooling Center in the City of Pasadena and is ready to be open if there is a request from the County to activate. For more information, please call (626) 744-7300.

Jackie Robinson Community Center is served by Pasadena Transit Route 20 and Metro Route 660 (exit Fair Oaks/Jackie Robinson Center or Fair Oaks/Hammond stop). Current Pasadena Dial-A-Ride members can call (626) 791-7200 to make appointments for a ride. For schedule and route information or questions about becoming a Pasadena Dial-A-Ride member, please visit PasadenaTransit.net or call (626) 744-4055.

Visit the Los Angeles County Public Health website to find other designated cooling centers throughout the Los Angeles County area.

PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARIES

While not official Cooling Centers, the Pasadena Public Library Department, and other local area public libraries offer an enjoyable, air-conditioned respite from the heat and are, of course, a great place to catch up on your reading too! Pasadena Public Library locations and hours are:

• Allendale Branch, 1130 S. Marengo Ave., (626) 744-7260, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Hastings Branch, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., (626) 744-7262, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m.
• Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave., (626) 744-7264, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St., Children's Room (626) 744-8046
  Monday-Thursday & Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., (626) 744-7268, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr., (626) 744-7266, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Linda Vista Branch Library, 1281 Bryant St., (626) 744-7278, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd., (626) 744-7270, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Santa Catalina Branch Library
  999 E. Washington Blvd., (626) 744-7272, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St., (626) 744-6510, Monday-Friday • 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Please note: Libraries and Community/Recreation Centers will be closed on Thursday, July 4 in honor of Independence Day.

ICE SKATING CENTER

A trip to the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, 300 E. Green St., is also a good way to beat the heat. For more information, please call (626) 578-0800.

EMERGENCY ALERT NOTIFICATIONS

Pasadena officials also urge all residents to be prepared and sign up today for emergency alerts and other information from the City by joining the City's Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System, or PLEAS.

PLEAS uses both text and voice messages to keep residents and community members in Pasadena informed in case of citywide or major emergencies. Phone subscribers will receive a message with the latest information and safety instructions-that must be listened to in its entirety or the system will call you back. Visit CityOfPasadena.net/Fire/PLEAS/ to register today.

The City will also send out "Nixle" alerts to those who have established a free account at Nixle.com and identified the Pasadena zip codes that they wish to receive alerts for those areas.

During emergencies, the City also will use its government cable access TV station, KPAS, to help broadcast emergency information. Charter cable subscribers see KPAS on Channel 3 and AT&T U-verse subscriber can watch KPAS on Channel 99. The broadcast is also streamed live on the City's website, CityOfPasadena.net/Media and on the KPAS ("Pasadena Media") website at PasadenaMedia.tv.

For life-threatening emergencies always remember to dial 9-1-1. Remain calm while on the phone. Be prepared to give operators your name and location and a brief, accurate description of the nature of your call.

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