RAP COOLING CENTERS

All Recreation Centers and Senior Citizen Centers will be serving as cooling sites

Los Angeles - With record temperatures bringing on the extreme HEAT, the Department of Recreation and Parks has some cool solutions for you! All Recreation Centers and Senior Citizen Centers are being utilized as cooling centers. So, if you're in need of a cool spot to chill out at, stop by your nearest Recreation Center or Senior Center.

All RAP sites will be open with regular hours, typically ranging from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (depending on locations), and are open to the public. Additionally, selected Recreation Centers and Senior Centers located in the Valley will have extended hours from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm, beginning Saturday, September 25 through Wednesday, September 29.

Those centers are:

- North Hollywood Senior Citizen Center, 11430 Chandler Blvd, North Hollywood

-Sepulveda Rec Center/Mid-Valley Senior Citizen Center, 8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City

-Sunland Park Senior Citizen Center, 8640 Fenwick Street, Sunland

-Sylmar Recreation Center, 13109 Borden Avenue, Sylmar

-Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Senior Citizen Center, 5040 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks

-Wilkinson Senior Citizen Center, 8956 Vanalden Avenue, Northridge

Some helpful hints to beat the heat!

-Turn off lights when not in use

-Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage

-Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day

-Try to avoid cooking during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home

-Ventilate your home at night by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate

During periods of excessive heat there is an increased risk of heat exhaustion,

heat cramps and sunstroke.

Here's what you can do when the weather gets extremely hot:

-Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun

-Stay on the lowest floor our of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available

-Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls and other community facilities

-Eat well balanced, light and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed by a physician

-Drink plenty of water

-Limit intake of alcoholic beverages

-Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible

-Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat

-Check on family, seniors, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.

-Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles

-Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks

For more information or to locate a cooling center near you, call (213) 202-2700. City Libraries are also serving as cooling centers for locations call (213) 228-7000. Be safe and stay COOL, Los Angeles!

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Andrea Epstein: (213) 202-2690

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689