City of Pasadena Reminds Everyone to Take Precautions Against the Heat

News & Announcements

PASADENA, Calif.--It's HOT out there, Pasadena! The City wishes to remind everyone to take precautions against the heat and stay connected to the City for any emergency alerts and updates.

Bookmark and check the City’s main homepage of the website, CityOfPasadena.net, for updates on changing conditions, including possible emergency conditions, Red Flag Alerts or other citywide announcements.

The high rain season this year means area vegetation sprouted and brush is now getting 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 Public Health and safety officials offer the following reminders to prevent heat-related illnesses:

  • If possible, stay indoors in an air-conditioned environment, especially the young and older adults. If your home or apartment is not air conditioned, consider going to a public library or a designated cooling center.
  • Drink water often - Don't wait until you are thirsty. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst.
  • Remember to check on your neighbors, family and friends—especially older adults—to make sure they're fine. Take them extra water or a cool beverage.
  • 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.
  • Wear light and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Seek shady spots; wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim; and use plenty of sunscreen!
  • 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.
  • Never leave anyone unattended in closed vehicles, including pets! For more pet care tips, visit PasadenaHumane.org. If you do leave pets unattended in your vehicle, it is now lawful for people to forcibly open your car to rescue them.
  • Make sure your pets have easy access to water and a cool place to stay.

Pasadena Water and Power reminds you to:

  • Adjust your thermostat to 78 degrees.
  • Close windows and doors, and use window coverings to prevent heat from entering your home.
  • Postpone using heat-producing appliances such as an oven, dryer, dishwasher, etc. until after 9 p.m.
  • Turn off unnecessary lights.
  • Charge up your EV prior to peak hours.
  • Unplug phone chargers, power strips and other equipment when not in use.

Pasadena residents and businesses with any power emergencies should call Pasadena Water and Power at (626) 744-4673.  For water-related emergencies, call (626) 744-4138.  For more information, visit PWPweb.com.

COOLING CENTER

The Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., is the only pre-designated Cooling Center in the City of Pasadena and is ready to be open if there is a request from the County to activate. Jackie Robinson Community Center will be open from Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday- Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, please call (626) 744-7300.

Visit the Los Angeles County Public Health website to find other designated cooling centers throughout the Los Angeles County area.

Jackie Robinson Community Center is served by Pasadena Transit Route 20 and Metro Route 660 (exit Fair Oaks/Jackie Robinson Center or Fair Oaks/Hammond stop). Current Pasadena Dial-A-Ride members can call (626) 791-7200 to make appointments for a ride. For schedule and route information or questions about becoming a Pasadena Dial-A-Ride member, please visit PasadenaTransit.net or call (626) 744-4055.

PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARIES

While not official Cooling Centers, the Pasadena Public Library Department, and other 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:

  • Allendale Branch, 1130 S. Marengo Ave., (626) 744-7260, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Hastings Branch, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., (626) 744-7262, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m.
  • Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave., (626) 744-7264, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St., Children's Room (626) 744-8046
    Teen Room (626) 744-4765, Tuesday & Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday • 2 – 6 p.m.
  • La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., (626) 744-7268, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr., (626) 744-7266, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Linda Vista Branch Library, 1281 Bryant St., (626) 744-7278, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd., (626) 744-7270, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Santa Catalina Branch Library
    999 E. Washington Blvd., (626) 744-7272, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St., (626) 744-6510, Monday-Friday • 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

ICE SKATING CENTER

A trip to the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, 300 E. Green St., is also a good way to beat the heat. For more information, please call (626) 578-0800 or email rwinship@skatepasadena.com.

EMERGENCY ALERT NOTIFICATIONS

Pasadena officials also urge all residents to be prepared and 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. Visit CityOfPasadena.net/Fire/PLEAS/ to register today.

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

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 broadcast is also streamed live on the City's website,CityOfPasadena.net/Media and on the KPAS ("Pasadena Media") website at PasadenaMedia.tv.

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 a brief, accurate description of the nature of your call.

Stay connected to the City of Pasadena! Visit us online at CityOfPasadena.net; follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook; or call the Citizen Service Center Monday through Friday during business hours at (626) 744-7311.