By Mary O’Keefe

Sparr Heights Community Center will be open this Saturday as a cooling station for those who need to get out of the sun.

The community center is normally closed on Saturdays but will open its doors to help those who need a cool place to go.

Temperatures today reached in the high 90’s in La Crescenta, according to the National Weather Service.

There are no official National Weather Service weather stations in La Crescenta but several unofficial ones the service monitors, said Joe Sirard, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

In one of the unofficial stations the high temperature was recorded at 97 degrees Fahrenheit in La Crescenta. The San Rafael hills recorded an unofficial temperature of 107. The latest temperature reading from Pasadena was as high as 106, and in the foothills near San Dimas a 111 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded.

“It was very hot in some areas,” Sirard said.

Crescenta Valley will be facing the same temperatures tomorrow and Sunday.

“On Saturday temperatures will be from 97 to 105 for the San Fernando Valley,” Sirard said.

Monday will cool down to the mid 80s to low 90s then back up again from Tuesday through Friday.

“Downtown L.A. set a record of a high of 100 [degrees] today,” Sirard added.

It is the first time since records have been kept starting in the late 1800s that downtown Los Angeles has reached 100 degrees.

With today’s 100 degrees, at some point since official temperatures have been recorded every day in September has reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Sirard said.

The Cooling Stations that will be open in Glendale are:

Adult Recreation Center
201 E. Colorado 
Glendale, CA 91205
Monday through Thursday: 8a.m. – 8p.m. 
Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. – 4p.m. On Sept. 16, Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sparr Heights Community Center
1613 Glencoe Way
Glendale, CA 91208
Monday through Friday: 8a.m.-6:00p.m. Sept. 15, Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Below are some heat safety tips released by Glendale Community College Fire Academy:

With temperatures expected to rise drastically today and into the weekend,

Individuals and families should take the necessary precautions. The very

young and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the heat, so it is

important that families and friends check on them regularly. People with

chronic health issues are also at greater risk and need to take special care

to stay healthy in the heat.

*Note, this is an off-shore/high pressure system that will/can result in

high fire danger as temperatures will be high and relative humidity will be

low.

Prevent Heat-Related Illness:

.         Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing

(light colors reflect away some of the sun’s energy) and plenty of

sunscreen. Wear a hat or use an umbrella to help shield you from the sun.

.         Carry water or juice and drink frequently, even if you do not feel

thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Make sure to

check on youth and elderly to make sure they have enough fluids.

.         Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in

protein, which increases metabolic heat.

.         Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do something physically

demanding, try to do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually

between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m. Take regular breaks to cool off.

.         Stay indoors as much as possible.

.         Watch for signs of life-threatening heat stroke. The person’s

temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops

working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death

may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

.         Signals of heat stroke include hot, red, and usually dry skin,

changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing. If

you or someone you know experience symptoms, call 9-1-1 or your local EMS

number.

–   Move the person to a cooler place.

–   Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan

it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim’s

wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood

vessels.

–    Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is

clear.

–    Keep the person lying down.

.         Be vigilant about water safety if headed to a pool or beach. Never

leave a child unattended near water and keep lifesaving gear handy.

.         Don’t forget to protect your pets. Make sure your pet has constant

access to shade and an endless supply of cool, clean water, and never leave

a pet in a car – even for a few minutes.