An “extreme heat warning” has been issued for the Santa Clarita Valley, with county health officials expecting it to last through Saturday.

#ExtremeHeatWarning – The Los Angeles County Health Officer has extended an Extreme Heat Warning for Parts of Los Angeles County. View: https://t.co/5FRl3uWxKv for more. pic.twitter.com/M697U17Azu

— LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) August 17, 2020

On Monday, officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health extended an extreme heat warning for several areas within the county, including the Santa Clarita Valley, due to the heatwave striking across Southern California.

“High temperatures are not just an inconvenience, they can be dangerous and even deadly,” said Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis in a statement Monday. “But we can protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors if we take steps to remain cool and hydrated.”

County health officials also provided a list of precautions and actions that residents can take in order to avoid heat-related illnesses, including:

• Drink plenty of water and keep hydrated throughout the day. 
• If you must go out, plan your day to avoid going out during the hottest hours, and wear sunscreen. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothes, and bring a hat or umbrella with you. 
• Cars get very hot. Never leave children or pets in cars and call 911 if you see a child or pet in a car alone. 
• Beware of heat-related illness, like heat stroke and call 911 if you see these symptoms: high body temperature, vomiting, and pale and clammy skin. 
• Check on those at risk, like those who are sick, older adults, pregnant women, and children. 
• Avoid strenuous workouts wearing face coverings or masks not intended for athletic purposes; this means avoiding contact with others while you work out.

“While it is very important that everyone take special care of themselves, it is equally important that we reach out and check on others, in particular those who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of high temperatures, including children, the elderly, and their pets,” Davis added. “It is critically important to never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in homes with no air conditioning and particularly in vehicles, even if the windows are ‘cracked’ or open, as temperatures inside can quickly rise to life-threatening levels. If you have an elderly or infirm neighbor who is without air conditioning, check on them throughout the day.” 

As the extreme heat warning remains in effect, public health officials have planned ways to safely operate cooling centers during times of high heat. Cooling centers are set to be open to provide the public relief from the heat, and residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of these free centers. 

However, as the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, health officials have implemented and recommended the following safety guidelines for the cooling centers.

• Staff and visitors are instructed to stay home if they do not feel well. Any person reporting or exhibiting signs of illness is advised to seek appropriate medical care. 
• Staff and visitors are required to wear a face covering at all times. 
• Staff and visitors are advised to practice social distancing by standing at least six feet away from other persons, except for family members. Tables, chairs and other physical layouts are arranged to ensure appropriate distancing. Occupancy is reduced by more than half to prevent crowding. 
• Signage is posted throughout cooling centers reminding staff and visitors of key protective actions, including the proper way to wear face coverings, washing hands, covering sneezes and coughs, and to avoid touching their faces. 
• Cooling centers follow cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Frequently contacted surfaces like door handles, handrails, counters, seating, bathrooms, and floors are cleaned more often. Trash is collected and disposed of regularly.

To find a cooling center location, call 211, or click here.

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