Brrr! Cold Weather Prompts Alert For South Pasadena

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Tuesday extended a cold weather alert through the region, and Southern California Gas Co. officials are urging residents to conserve energy to preserve heating for those most in need.

Mountain areas and the Santa Clarita Valley and through the Antelope Valley are expecting wind-chill temperatures expected to dip below 32 degrees. The cold weather forecast for Southern California prompted Southern California Gas Co. Monday to issue a "Dial It Down" Alert through Thursday morning. Residents are encouraged to bundle up and reduce their natural gas use, particularly in the evenings when usage is typically highest. During periods of cold weather, demand for natural gas for heat, hot water and cooking can put a strain on the natural gas system, according to company officials.

"Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during cold weather. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don't get too cold when they are outside," said Dr. Muntu Davis, the county's health officer. "There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbecues or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning."

To reduce natural gas use during a Dial It Down Alert, Southern California Gas Co. customers are encouraged to take simple steps, such as setting thermostats to 68 degrees when they are home and 55 degrees when they are not home.

Other ways to reduce natural gas use include:
-- washing clothes in cold water;
-- taking shorter showers;
-- reducing the temperature on water heaters;
-- running only full loads of dishes and clothes;
-- using low-flow shower heads;
-- keeping windows and doors closed when the heater is on; and
-- dressing warmer.

The health department urged people to take the following precautions to protect themselves from the cold:

-- dress in layers of warm clothing if you plan to be outdoors;

-- protect head, hands and feet from the cold by wearing a hat, scarf, gloves and socks;

-- check frequently on and help family members, friends and neighbors with limited mobility and limited access to heat, such as seniors or those who are ill;

-- if you have pets, bring them indoors and do not leave them outside overnight;

-- take shelter during peak cold times; and

-- if you don't have a heater in your home, visit indoor public facilities such as shopping malls, libraries or senior centers.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has a Winter Shelter Program available. Locations and transportation information are online at www.lahsa.org/winter-shelter or by calling 211. For the deaf and hard-of- hearing, call the TDD line at (800) 660-4026.

People exposed to cold weather for prolonged periods can lose body heat and develop hypothermia. Symptoms vary depending on how long a person is exposed to cold temperatures. Early symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination, and confusion and disorientation. Late symptoms of hypothermia include no shivering, blue skin, dilated pupils, slowed pulse and breathing and loss of consciousness.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Shutterstock