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Summer may be in the rearview, but stay prepared for if/when excessive heat returns! Heat can become dangerous, especially for children, pets, people who work outside, and those with certain health conditions.
Register for NotifyLA alerts in the event of extreme weather (heat or otherwise) and other emergency situations.
Hydration Stations in LA City
In 2019, the LA Department of Water and Power (DWP) began installing free hydration stations within the City as part of a multi-year program to add or refurbish 200 drinking water stations for the health of residents and visitors -- to be completed before the 2028 Olympics begin here. As part of LA’s Green New Deal, the DWP has partnered with LA Recreation & Parks and General Services to open and maintain them. The new hydration stations are being placed in mostly public areas in all 15 City Council districts throughout the city to allow people to also fill their reusable water bottles with clean, refreshing water.
Use HeatRelief4LA's interactive map to find hydration stations and places nearby to avoid the heat:
Simple tips to staying cool
Drink plenty of cool water! Stay hydrated.
Wear loose, light-colored clothing that will keep you cool. Wear sunscreen and a hat for protection.
Check on neighbors who might be vulnerable to the heat, especially those without air conditioning.
Never leave children or pets in a car - not even for one minute. Temperatures inside a car can quickly skyrocket to deadly levels.
If you work or play outside, take frequent breaks to hydrate and cool off in the shade.
Don't forget the pets! Keep pets indoors if possible. If kept outside, give them plenty of water and shade to rest in.
Symptoms of heat-related illness include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps, and increased thirst. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention.
Warmer weather can bring fun, sun, and heat! But, sometimes the heat can become dangerous, especially for children, the elderly, pets, people who work outside, and those with certain health conditions. Staying safe in high heat is important.
Heat-Related Illnesses
High heat can lead to severe health problems. If you experience the following conditions, seek medical attention immediately.
Heat Cramps
Symptoms include muscular pains and spasms, usually in the stomach, arms or leg muscles.
Heat cramps usually result from heavy exertion, such as exercise, during extreme heat.
Although heat cramps are the least severe of all heat-related problems, they are usually the first signal that the body is having trouble coping with hot temperatures. Heat cramps should be treated immediately with rest, fluids and getting out of the heat.
Seek medical attention if pain is severe or nausea occurs.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms include heavy sweating, pale and clammy moist skin, extreme weakness or fatigue, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness or confusion, nausea or vomiting, fast and shallow breathing, or fainting.
First Aid: Heat exhaustion should be treated immediately with rest in a cool area, sipping water or a sports drink, applying cool and wet cloths and elevating the feet 12 inches.
If left untreated, victims may go into heat stroke.
Seek medical attention if the person does not respond to the above, basic treatment.
Heat Stroke
Symptoms include flushed, hot, moist skin or a lack of sweat, high body temperature (above 103ºF), confusion or dizziness, possible unconsciousness, throbbing headache, rapid, or strong pulse.
Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and occurs when a person’s temperature control system, which produces sweat, stops working.
Heat stroke may lead to brain damage and death.
First Aid: Call 911. Move victim to a cool shaded area. Fan the body, and spray body with water.
Cooling Centers
During extended periods of excessive heat, LA City will open dedicated cooling centers and post their locations and hours of operations here as well as on @ReadyLA social media. These will typically be at City Recreation and Parks facilities, which are also available -- whenever they are open -- as shelter from the weather, even when no dedicated cooling centers have yet been opened.
In addition, other City resources listed below supplement as Citywide adverse weather shelters throughout the year.
During excessive and extreme heat events, more than 70 LA City Public Library branches around the City are also available for cooling and shelter during their regular business hours. Also, check out other available cooling resources listed below or linked resources available through City and County agencies and partners.
City Pools and Splash Pads
Hours and locations of Recreation & Parks pools and splash pads
Rides to City Cooling Centers LA Department of Transportation (LADOT) offers air-conditioned rides from surrounding areas to many cooling center locations, through local DASH bus lines:
Find more LA Metro bus or LADOT Transit connections to City facilities.
Pets at City Cooling Centers
When activated as cooling centers, LA City's Recreation and Parks’ facilities are pet-friendly. Dogs must be on a leash and all pets must be accompanied by their owner at all times. Kennels will be provided upon request. For more information, email: Rap.PublicInfo@lacity.org -- or call 3-1-1. For the more than 70 LA City Public Library branches that can be used as cooling centers -- only service animals are allowed. As a reminder, wherever you seek shelter from the heat, never leave a person or pet in a parked vehicle.
If you need to seek refuge from the heat or other adverse weather at other times, LA City also offers cooling centers that are open and available during regular hours of operation, unless otherwise noted. The Department on Disability works to provide reasonable accommodation to ensure accessibility and effective communications for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs at cooling centers.
Information regarding City and other nearby adverse weather facilities is available:
- By calling 3-1-1 within LA City
- By calling the City's Recreation & Parks Department general information line at (213) 202-2700
- By calling the LA City Public Library Public Information Office at (213) 228-7555
Facilities in Los Angeles County and neighboring cities also provide heat related information on their website, when activated. For more information, call LA County 2-1-1 or visit the County website for a listing of active cooling centers.