It’s Hot! Take Care Of Yourself!

PASADENA – ColoradoBoulevard.net:

It’s hot out there, Pasadena!

By News Desk

Everyone is reminded to take precautions against the heat and stay connected to the emergency alerts and updates.

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.

Reminders to prevent heat-related illnesses

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

• If possible, stay indoors in an air-conditioned environment, especially the young and the elderly. 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. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps, and increased thirst.
• Remember to check on your neighbors, family, and friends — especially the elderly — to make sure they’re fine. Take extra water or a cool beverage to them.
• Air quality can easily degrade during hot weather. If you have heart disease, asthma, or other lung disease, minimize outdoor activity.
• 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 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
• Never leave anyone unattended in closed vehicles, including pets! (For more pet care tips, visit PasadenaHumane.org). If you do leave pets unattended in your vehicle, it is now lawful for people to forcibly open your car to rescue them.
• Make sure your pets have easy access to water and a cool place to stay.

Pasadena Water and Power reminds you to:

• Adjust your thermostat to 78 degrees.
• Close windows and doors, and use window coverings to prevent heat from entering your home.
• Postpone using heat-producing appliances such as an oven, dryer, dishwasher, etc. until after 9:00 pm.
• Turn off unnecessary lights.
• Charge up your EV prior to peak hours.
• Unplug phone chargers, power strips, and other equipment when not in use.

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

Cooling Centers

The Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., will be open from Monday – Thursday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am to 4 pm, and Saturday – Sunday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, call (626) 744-7300.

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

How to Reach a Cooling Center

• 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). 
• Pasadena Dial-A-Ride members can call (626) 791-7200 to make appointments for rides. For schedule and route information or questions about becoming a Pasadena Dial-A-Ride member, visit PasadenaTransit.net or call (626) 744-4055.

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: 1130 S. Marengo Ave. | (626) 744-7260
  Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Hastings: 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. | (626) 744-7262
  Monday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
  Friday & Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
  Sunday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• Hill Avenue: 55 S. Hill Ave. | (626) 744-7264
  Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Jefferson: 1500 E. Villa St. | Children’s Room (626) 744-8046, Teen Room (626) 744-4765
  Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
  Saturday, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
• La Pintoresca: 1355 N. Raymond Ave. | (626) 744-7268
  Monday – Saturday,  10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Lamanda Park: 140 S. Altadena Dr. | (626) 744-7266
  Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Linda Vista: 1281 Bryant St. | (626) 744-7278
  Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• San Rafael: 1240 Nithsdale Rd. | (626) 744-7270
  Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Santa Catalina: 999 E. Washington Blvd. | (626) 744-7272
  Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Villa Parke: 363 E. Villa St. | (626) 744-6510
  Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

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, call (626) 578-0800 or email rwinship@skatepasadena.com.

Emergency Alert Notifications

Pasadena officials 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. The PLEAS system 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. Visit this website 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.

During emergencies, the City also will use its government cable access TV station, KPAS, to broadcast emergency information.

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.