Fire Department Urges Pasadenans to Take Precautions as Weather Heats Up

The Fire Department reminds everyone to take precautions with elevated temperatures this week.  Lack of rain this year means area vegetation and brush is extremely dry. Pasadena Fire Department Officials urge extra care when using landscaping equipment as sparks from such equipment or vehicles can ignite brush fires. Remember to discard cigarettes properly; use extra caution with barbecues and be vigilant around swimming pools.

Pasadena residents and businesses with any power emergencies should call Pasadena Water and Power Department at (626) 744-4673. For water-related emergencies, call (626) 744-4138. Visit www.cityofpasadena.net/waterandpower/CAISO_Outages/ for “Flex Alerts” and sign up for PWP’s Outage Management System to get up-to-date alerts on your phone and by email regarding any power outages by visiting www.cityofpasadena.net/waterandpower/OMS/.

For life-threatening emergencies always remember to dial 9-1-1. Remain calm while on the phone. Be prepared to give operators your name and location and an accurate description of the nature of your call.

Other recommended precautions include:

• If possible, stay indoors in an air conditioned environment, especially the young and the elderly. If your home or apartment is not air conditioned, consider going to an enclosed shopping mall, a public library or a designated cooling center.
• Remember to check on your neighbors, family and friends—especially the elderly—to make sure they are OK. Take them extra water or a cool beverage.
• Never leave anyone unattended in closed vehicles, including pets! For more pet care tips visit www.pasadenahumane.org
• Make sure your pets also have easy access to water and a cool place to stay.
• Keep air conditioners set to about 78 degrees.
• Close blinds and drapes to block out direct heat. Use energy efficient fans as alternative.
• Use major appliances in early morning or after 7 p.m., when energy demand is lower.
• Turn off lights, air conditioners, computers, TVs and other electronics when not in use.
• Set refrigerator to 37 degrees, clean coils regularly & unplug unused secondary fridges.

If your work or recreation plans mean you must be outdoors, please consider the following:
• Air quality can easily degrade during hot weather. If you have heart disease, asthma or other lung disease, minimize outdoor activity to reduce heat-related illness.
• Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst.
• Wear light and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink water often. Do not wait until you are thirsty.
• Avoid, reduce unnecessary exertion or vigorous exercise, whether outside or in a non-air conditioned building, especially during peak heat hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Seek shady spots; wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim and use plenty of sunscreen!

Pasadena Public Library

Local area public libraries offer an enjoyable, air-conditioned respite from the heat and are, of course, a great place to catch up on your reading too! Pasadena Public Library locations and hours are:

Central Library, 285 E. Walnut Street, (626) 744-4066. Open 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, but closed this Sunday due to special event Branch hours are as follows:

• Allendale Branch, 1130 S. Marengo Ave., (626) 744-7260, Monday-Thursday andSaturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Hill Avenue Branch, 55 S. Hill Ave., (626) 744-7264, Monday-Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
, Friday; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Lamanda Park Branch, 140 S. Altadena Dr., (626) 744-7266, Monday-Thursday andSaturday, 10 a.m. -6 p.m.; Friday, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Linda Vista Branch, 1281 Bryant St., (626) 744-7278, Monday-Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• San Rafael Branch, 1240 Nithsdale Road, (626) 744-7270, Monday-Thursday andSaturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Santa Catalina Branch, 999 E. Washington Blvd., (626) 744-7272, Monday-Thursday andSaturday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Friday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• La Pintoresca Branch, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., (626) 744-7268, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Villa-Parke Branch, 363 E. Villa St., (626) 744-6510, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.;Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Hastings Branch, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., (626) 744-7262, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Pasadena Recreation Centers

Pasadena’s Recreation Centers also provide air conditioned environments at:
• Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
• Robinson Park Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Sunday.
• Victory Park, 2575 Paloma St., Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.;Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Sunday.
• Villa-Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St., Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Ice Skating!

A trip to the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, 300 E. Green St., is also a good way to beat the heat. Call (626) 578-0800; visit www.skatepasadena.com or email to pisc@skatepasadena.com.

Stay Connected to the City of Pasadena!

Be sure to stay connected to the City of Pasadena for local news and information from the City, especially during emergencies and other alerts. Here are ways to stay connected to the City of Pasadena:

In addition to the main website homepage, www.cityofpasadena.net, you can follow us on Twitter @PasadenaGov, www.twitter.com/pasadenagov, and (Like Us) on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofpasadena.

The Citizen Service Center is open to take your calls, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (626) 744-7311.
Pasadena officials also urge all residents to sign up today for emergency alerts and other information from the City by joining the City’s Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System, or PLEAS.

PLEAS uses both text and voice messages to keep residents and community members in Pasadena informed in case of citywide or major emergencies. Phone subscribers will receive a message with the latest information and safety instructions—that must be listened to in its entirety or the system will call you back. Go to www.cityofpasadena.net/Fire/PLEAS/ to register today.

During emergencies, the City also will use its government cable access TV station, KPAS, to help broadcast emergency information. Charter cable subscribers see KPAS on Channel 3 and AT&T U-verse subscriber can watch KPAS on Channel 99.

The City will also send out “Nixle” alerts to those who have established a free account at www.nixle.com and identified the Pasadena zip codes that they wish to receive alerts for those areas.