Where to Cool Off in Long Beach

From the city of Long Beach:

In response to the high temperatures forecasted for the weekend, the city of Long Beach will open Cooling Centers on Sunday, Sept. 14, at the following park facilities:

• El Dorado West Community Center – 2800 Studebaker Road
• Houghton Community Center – 6301 Myrtle Ave.
• McBride (Cal Rec) Community Center – 1550 Martin Luther King Ave.
• Cesar Chavez Community Center – 401 Golden Ave.
• *Long Beach Senior Center – 1150 East 4th St.

These facilities will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If the heat is making it hard to get through the day, come have a seat and enjoy the cool air conditioning at any of these Community Centers.

*The Long Beach Senior Center will also be open on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The elderly, those 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 and injury:

• 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 wide-brimmed hat to cover the face, ears and neck if you’ll be outside
• Apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) 15 minutes before going outdoors and re-apply at least every two hours – sunscreen prevents skin cancer
• 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
• Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Chronic exposure to the sun can cause cataracts
• Seek air-conditioned environments during peak heat at stores, malls, theaters, libraries, etc. All Parks, Recreation and Marine Community Centers are designated cooling centers on weekdays; for a list of Community Centers and their hours, visitwww.longbeach.gov/park/coolingcenters
• 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
• Make sure pets have plenty of shade and water to drink
• Prevent children from drowning by providing adult supervision at all times and having an entry-proof barrier that surrounds the pool or spa

For more information on how to stay healthy during hot weather please visit the Health Department’s website at www.longbeach.gov/health.

PHOTO Patch file photo.