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City of Long Beach Extends Heat Alert, Advises Residents to Take Precautions Against Heat

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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - As temperatures continue to soar in Long Beach, City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada has extended the heat alert until 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. The decision was made due to the National Weather Service's forecast of high temperatures in the mid to high 80s, with humidity making it feel as hot as 96 degrees.

Dr. Okada is urging community members to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses as the elevated heat index temperatures are expected to continue through the evening hours. The humidity will make it feel as hot as 80 degrees or higher until 12 a.m., providing limited relief from the heat.

To provide some respite from the scorching temperatures, City Parks, Recreation and Marine Community Centers and Long Beach Public Library locations are available as designated cooling centers during their normal business hours. However, residents are advised to contact these locations beforehand to confirm their availability in case of unexpected closures.

In addition, the Long Beach Multi-Service Center will extend its standard hours on Friday, Sept. 11, operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as an additional cooling center. It is important to note that case management services will only be offered until 4 p.m.

The extreme heat may also cause power outages in the area and Southern California Edison's outage map can be viewed for updates.

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While everyone is at risk for heat-related illnesses, older adults, those with chronic illnesses, infants and young children are particularly vulnerable. Dr. Okada is encouraging community members to check on their friends, family and neighbors who may be home-bound to ensure they are not affected by the heat.

To stay safe during this heatwave, residents are advised to follow these tips:

Stay Cool

- Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.

- Limit outdoor activities during peak heat hours (noon to 6 p.m.) or take cool showers or baths.

- Seek shelter in air-conditioned spaces.

Hydrate

- Drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty.

- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks as they can cause dehydration.

- Replenish lost salt and minerals with sports drinks or salty snacks.

- Ensure pets have access to water.

Protect Against Heat-Related Illness

- Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher at least 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours.

- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection.

- Make sure pets have access to shade and water, as asphalt can burn their paws.

- Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or in direct sunlight.

Signs of Heat-Related Illness

If a person's temperature rises to 103 F or above, they lose consciousness, experience a fast and strong pulse, or their symptoms last longer than one hour or worsen, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Other signs of heat-related illness include heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headache, and confusion.

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Food Safety During Power Outages

The extreme heat can also increase the risk of food spoiling during power outages. To avoid foodborne illnesses, residents are advised to follow these safety measures:

- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator should be at 40 degrees or below while the freezer should be at 0 degrees or below.

- Move perishable foods such as leftovers, milk, fresh meat and poultry to the freezer to maintain a safe temperature for a longer period.

- Discard any perishable food that has been above 40 degrees for two hours or more.

- Do not taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out.

Water Safety

As swimming pools are a popular way to cool off during hot weather, it is important to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of children. This includes providing childproof barriers around pools and spas and always having adult supervision when children are near water. Other tips include keeping children within arm's reach, assigning a specific adult to watch the water, and installing a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around home pools.

To learn more about staying safe during extreme heat, residents can visit longbeach.gov/extremeheat. They can also follow the Health Department on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates. For media inquiries, please contact the Health Department's Public Affairs Office at HE-PublicAffairs@longbeach.gov.

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