Cold Weather Alert issued for Antelope Valley

With gusty winds and freezing overnight temperatures in the forecast, Los Angeles County Public Health officials have issued a Cold Weather Alert through Friday, Nov. 18, for the Antelope Valley.

“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,” Health Care Officer Muntu Davis said in a news release. “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, barbeques or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Davis advises the following precautions for local residents to protect themselves from the cold:

• Dress in layers of warm clothing if planning to be outdoors.
• Protect head, hands and feet from the cold by wearing a hat, scarf, gloves, and socks.
• Check on and help family members, friends and neighbors with limited mobility and limited access to heat, such as seniors or those who are ill. Check on them frequently.
• Bring pets indoors and do not leave them outside overnight.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has a Winter Shelter Program available for those who need shelter. In the Antelope Valley, the LAHSA shelter is located at 45150 60th Street in Lancaster (High Desert MACC), and can be reached by calling 661-723-4873. Locations and transportation information for all LA County winter shelters can be found at  http://www.lahsa.org/ or by calling the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone.

People exposed to cold weather for prolonged periods can lose body heat and develop hypothermia, LA County health officials warn. Symptoms vary depending on the length of time 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.

Officials also recommend the following tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when heating your home:

• Only use approved heaters, such as electric or natural gas heaters and fireplaces.
• Never use stoves, barbecues and ovens to heat your room or home, as these appliances can produce deadly carbon monoxide gas that can collect inside your home.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to reduce the risk of poisoning.
• If you use an outdoor generator at home, place it at least 10 feet away from all doors and windows to avoid exhaust gases entering the home.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause shortness of breath, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and nausea. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide could lead to death within minutes. Those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should be taken outside, into fresh air, immediately, and should be taken to an emergency room for immediate medical treatment.

Local residents and business owners, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, may call 2-1-1 or visit www.211la.org for emergency preparedness information and other referral services, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Deaf and hard of hearing residents should call the TDD line at 1-800-660-4026.

[Information via news release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.]
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