City Offers the Community Ideas and Information on Staying Cool During Week’s Heat Wave

It’s getting HOT out there again, 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.

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:

• Stay cool indoors. If you do not have air conditioning or a fan, consider going to a public library or a designated cooling center.
• Drink water often, especially if you are working outdoors. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water.
• Check on your neighbors, 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. Minimize outdoor activity, especially if you have a medical condition.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay in the shade and wear sunscreen!
• Never leave a child or pet in the car. If you see a pet in a car, it is now lawful for people to forcibly open your car to rescue them.
• If you work outside, employers must allow workers who ask for a cool-down rest period to take one.

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 the windows and doors. Close curtains, shades, and blinds during warmer hours.
• Adjust thermostats to 78°F to reduce energy usage.
• Reduce energy use during peak times, typically between 4-9 p.m., by limiting the use of major appliances
• Turn off lights and unplug “energy vampires” like fully-charged cell phones when not in use.
• Avoid using the stove and range if possible.
• Charge electric vehicles during off-peak hours

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.

Official Cooling Center

The Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., is open Tuesday and Wednesday as our designated cooling center. Extended days/hours may be possible depending on weather conditions. Please call (626) 744-7300 for questions about hours.

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.

Community/Recreation Centers

While not official cooling centers, the community/recreation centers below are open to keep our community members cool. View center hours at CityOfPasadena.net/Parks or call (626) 744-7500.

• Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
• Victory Park Recreation Center, 2575 Paloma St.
• Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.

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.

Pool and Splash Pad

A pool day or trip to the splash pad is a great way to stay cool. Visit the locations below:

• John J. Kennedy Pool, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., (626) 744-7330
• La Pintoresca Park Splash Pad, 45 E. Washington Blvd., sunrise to sunset

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.

Emergengy 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.

Stay connected to the City of Pasadena! Visit us online at CityOfPasadena.net; follow us on Twitter, and Instagram and Facebook at @CityOfPasadena; or call the City Service Center Monday through Friday during business hours at (626) 744-7311.