Heat Advisory Issued for Pasadena, Altadena Through Friday

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Pasadena, Altadena and the rest of the San Gabriel Valley that will remain in effect from Tuesday, July 7 through Friday, July 10, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The advisory means hot weather is expected to cause discomfort and could lead to heat-related illness for vulnerable residents, including older adults, young children, pregnant women, people who are sick or have chronic conditions, people who live alone, pets, outdoor workers and athletes, the department said in its statement.

Muntu Davis, the Los Angeles County health officer, said in the county’s statement that heat causes more deaths in the U.S. each year than floods, storms and lightning combined. Davis said those most likely to become ill during the heat include older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes and people with chronic medical conditions.

Public health officials said residents should call 911 immediately if they see signs of heat-related illness: a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, dizziness, nausea, fainting, headache, a fast and strong pulse, confusion, or hot, red, dry or damp skin.

The department recommended drinking water throughout the day, avoiding outdoor activity during peak heat hours, and wearing light-colored clothing, sunscreen with an SPF of 15, and a hat or umbrella. Officials said cars can get dangerously hot inside even with windows cracked, and urged residents to call 911 if they see a child or pet alone in a car. Residents without air conditioning were urged to take cool showers, limit stove and oven use, and visit libraries, malls or cooling centers.

County and city partners have planned ways to safely operate cooling centers during times of high heat, and residents without access to air conditioning are encouraged to use these cooling centers, splash pads and community pools, according to the county statement. Residents can find a nearby location at ready.lacounty.gov/heat or by calling 211, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or at 211la.org.

The county pointed residents to the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk tool for city-specific risk levels, which factors in how unusual the heat is for the season, the length of the hot spell, and health-impact data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Public health officials said updated advisories and tips would continue to be posted on the county’s extreme heat website, made available by signing up for heat advisories, and shared through its social media accounts, @lapublichealth.