4:45pm | As temperatures climbed even higher through Monday, the City of Long Beach announced that they will extend operating hours at seven parks and senior centers around the city for people trying to escape the heat. Long Beach Yellow Cab has also announced that they will offer free rides to senior citizens trying to reach local cooling centers. Call 562.444.4444 to hail a free cab, then state the cooling center you would like to reach and say the code “Long Beach Cooling Center” to qualify. Today and tomorrow, the places listed below will be open from 9:00am to 9:00pm.

Silverado Park
1545 West 31st St.
562.570.1678

Long Beach Senior Center
1150 E. Fourth St.
562.570.3500

El Dorado Park West
2800 Studebaker Road
562.570.3225

Bixby Park
130 Cherry Ave.
562.570.1601

Cesar E. Chavez Park
401 Golden Ave.
562.570.8890

Ramona Park
3301 E. 65th Street
562.570.1665

McBride Park (Cal Rec Center)
1550 Martin Luther King Ave.
562.570.1605

The city also has several “Cooling Centers” that you can find at longbeach.gov/park/coolingcenters or by calling 562.570.3100. The Health Department advises seniors and others at high risk to heat illness to take advantage of these and other air-conditioned locations. Based on the weather, hours of operation will be extended if needed.

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2:00pm | In response to the blistering heat that has without warning gripped Southern California, the Long Beach Health & Human Services Department has released the following advisory for residents that are trying to stay cool. The City of Los Angeles has recorded its all-time highest temperature at 113 degrees Fahrenheit, while a recorder at the Long Beach Airport recently reached 109 degrees.

The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) is advising residents to take precautions against the heat due to the National Weather Service’s forecast that hot weather will affect much of southern California today and for the next several days.  Temperatures at Long Beach airport are forecasted to peak at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit during today, September 27, 2010.

We are reminding residents to be safe and practice heat precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illness especially while participating in outdoor activities.  The elderly, people with chronic illnesses, infants and young children are at greater risk for heat-related conditions. However everyone should take precautions to reduce the risk of heat related illness:

  • Remain hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after outdoor activities;
  • Take frequent breaks while working or playing outdoors;
  • Wear loose fitting, light clothing; wear a hat if you’ll be outside;
  • Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid beverages that have caffeine or alcohol;
  • Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day; limit time outside during peak heat;
  • Pace physical activities, starting slowly and picking up the pace gradually;
  • Seek air-conditioned environments during peak heat at stores, malls, theaters, etc.
  • Check on frail elderly or home-bound individuals to make sure they are not affected by the heat;
  • Move to a cooler location at first sign of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps); rest and slowly drink a cool liquid;
  • Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or asleep in the direct sunlight; and
  • Make sure pets have plenty of shade and water to drink.

Should residents require a place to cool off, they are encouraged to go to one of Long Beach Public Libraries or Parks and Recreation Community Centers.  For more information on how to stay healthy during hot weather please visit the Health Department’s website at www.longbeach.gov/health.