PRESS RELEASE

Due to the high temperatures forecasted for Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4, the City of Long Beach Health Officer Dr. Mitchell Kushner has activated extended hours at six Cooling Centers in Long Beach, where people can stay cool in an air-conditioned facility. 

The following six locations will have extended hours and will be open until 7 pm on Friday, Oct. 3, and will be open on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 am to 6 pm:

• Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Avenue
• Silverado Community Center, 1545 West 31st Street
• El Dorado West Community Center, 2800 Studebaker Road
• Cesar Chavez Community Center, 401 Golden Avenue
• McBride (Cal Rec) Community Center, 1550 Martin Luther King Avenue
• Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 East 4th Street

Many stores, malls, theaters and libraries offer air-conditioned environments. All 12 Long Beach Public Libraries are open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm.

Community Centers at City Parks serve as air-conditioned Cooling Centers from Monday through Friday.

During high temperatures, people should remember to:

• 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 mintes 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;
• 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.