A Cold Weather Alert issued for the Santa Clarita Valley has been extended through New Year’s Day by public health officials, as below-freezing wind chill temperatures remain in the forecast.
The Cold Weather Alert, which was previously set to end Wednesday, has been extended by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) for the Santa Clarita Valley and the Antelope Valley.
“The Los Angeles County Health Officer is extending a Cold Weather Alert due to the National Weather Service’s forecast for low temperatures,” reads a statement issued by the LADPH on Tuesday. “Wind chill temperatures are expected to be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.”
The alert is set to last in the Santa Clarita Valley through New Year’s Day on Friday.
“Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during cold weather,” said Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis. “Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside.”
Officials say that people exposed to cold weather for prolonged periods can lose body heat and develop hypothermia. While symptoms vary depending on how long an individual is exposed to cold temperatures, they can range from shivering and fatigue to blue skin and loss of consciousness.
In addition to hypothermia, people exposed to extremely cold weather conditions may also be at risk of frostbite. Officials describe frostbite as a “bodily injury caused by freezing that results in loss of feeling and color in affected areas.”
LADPH officials recommend that residents 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 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.
- If you have pets, bring them indoors and do not leave them outside overnight.
See Related: Cold Weather Alert Extended To Santa Clarita Valley
Additionally, health officials ask that residents take shelter during peak cold times: The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has a Winter Shelter Program available for those who need shelter. More information can be found here or by calling the L.A. County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone.
“There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities,” Davis said. “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.”
Health officials say that 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,” Saturday’s statement from the LADPH reads. “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.”
Public health officials recommend residents take the following actions to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when heating their homes:
- 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 a deadly gas known as carbon monoxide 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.
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