With school back in session and the calendar flipping to September, the worst of the summer heat is all but behind us now, right? RIGHT!?
Unfortunately, no. But don’t sweat it, because the Signal Tribune has you covered.
We’ve compiled a guide full of stats, tips, tools and resources to help ensure the heat is as bearable as possible. This guide will also dive into the list of local cooling centers and public pools where residents can minimize the sun’s impact year-round.
How serious is a heat wave?
Before we can get into beating the heat, we must understand it. So let’s start with the most troubling topic of all: math.
To put it simply, the numbers indicate that heat waves have not only become more common but they last longer and are as scorching as ever, mainly because of climate change.
According to the National Weather Service, heat is typically the deadliest weather-related hazard. In 2024, there were an estimated 199 deaths from heat, more than double the next closest category (flood – 89).
Even in coastal cities like Long Beach, heat can be very dangerous. Just less than a year ago, on Sept. 6, 2024, Long Beach Airport reached a record-shattering 109 degrees during a heat wave that produced all-time high temperatures all over Southern California. This broke the Airport’s previous daily heat record for Sept. 6 of 104 degrees, set in 2020. The highest temperature ever recorded in Long Beach was on Sept. 27, 2010, when the city reached 111 degrees.
Everyone can be affected by a heat wave, but oftentimes young people are among the most vulnerable. Studies have also shown that hotter temperatures can lead to an increase in emergency room visits, with a particular impact on younger adults and children, and that grade school students who experience notable heat stress produce lower scores in complex subjects.
The students found to be most vulnerable are children from low-income families with less access to air conditioning, as well as Black and Latino students, who sometimes saw up to three times greater cognitive losses due to heat compared to white students, according to a July review published in PLOS Climate.
This is why it’s crucial for community members to check in on their friends, families and neighbors, especially older adults and those with chronic illnesses, for signs of heat-related illness. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, heavy sweating, muscle cramps and dizziness while signs of a heat stroke include hot skin, shallow breathing, a fast, strong pulse and a temperature of 103 or higher. According to Doctors Eve M. Glazier and Elizabeth Ko from UCLA Health, heat exhaustion can be treated by sipping water gradually, moving to a cooler spot, loosening your clothing and using damp cloths to cool the skin, while those suffering from heat stroke should receive immediate medical treatment.
On the sunny side, because of the vast amount of climate data accumulated over the years, we are able to forecast what future heat waves may look like using publicly available tools.
Cal-Adapt’s climate insight tools allows users to track the effects of climate change, while the Climate at a Glance Statewide Time Series provides a snapshot of California’s average monthly temperatures dating back to 1900.
Plus, CalMatters has a nifty resource where you can assess how many high heat days (meaning when a place’s maximum temperature exceeds the top 2% of its historic high) your neighborhood is projected to receive in the coming decades. Though inland communities with a drier climate are at a much bigger risk for higher heat days, cities like Long Beach will continue to receive their fair share of sunshine. So the least we can do is prepare.
Air conditioning, $$ saving tips, and proper pet care
There are many proven ways to stay safe during a heat wave. This includes drinking lots of fluids, being cognizant of time spent outdoors, taking things slow so that your body adjusts, and of course, lounging in a frosty air conditioned room.
Though it’s easy to get carried away with running your air conditioner 24/7 to counter the brutal heat, it’s important to try to use AC only when necessary, or else your electric bill will be less forgiving. Being responsible with your AC usage also ensures a lower chance of blackouts and more durable power grid.
The U.S. The Department of Energy recommends starting with an indoor temperature of 75-78 degrees during the day and increasing it by 7 degrees when nobody is home to ensure the system runs efficiently. People can achieve this cost-efficient temperature via precooling, by turning on the air conditioning in the morning then raising the thermostat setting to 78 degrees (or turning it off) during the peak hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Additional tips to save money during a heat wave include taking shorter showers, unplugging electronics you’re not using, running appliances like the dishwasher only when they are full and running your ceiling fans counterclockwise and turning them off when you leave the room.
Residents without access to a working air conditioner can use the following cooling alternatives, courtesy of Long Beach Health Officer Annissa Davis:
- Place a bowl of ice or a frozen water bottle in front of fans to create a DIY evaporative cooler.
- Wipe your wrists, neck and other pulse points with a damp, cool cloth.
- Close curtains, blinds or shades during peak sun hours to block heat. Use light-colored cloths or reflective shades to reduce incoming heat.
- Open windows and use fans overnight (when temperatures lower) to circulate cool air into living spaces.
- Minimize heat-generating activities such as using the stove, oven or dryer during the hottest hours. Cook with small appliances or outdoors if possible.
As we take steps to protect ourselves with heat-beating logic, it’s crucial for local pet owners to apply these tips to their loyal companions as well.
Fortunately, Los Angeles Animal Services a list of hot weather recommendations for pet owners, which includes the following:
- Save walks and playtime for the early morning or evening
- Don’t let your dog stand on hot asphalt, concrete sidewalk, artificial grass or sand.
- Keep your dog or cat inside in a cool and shady part of the house, if possible.
- Provide plenty of fresh water.
- Don’t shave your pets.
- Look out for signs of heat stress, such as heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness, staggering gait, vomiting or a deep red or purple tongue.
Cooling Centers
Local cooling centers, which includes all branches of the Long Beach Public Library and several community centers, are another crucial resource, especially for those without a running AC. People are able to rest indoors with air conditioning without purchasing anything or reserving a spot. No proof of residence or ID is necessary and there are no age requirements.
The City may open additional cooling centers based on the following factors:
- Whether the current network of public cooling centers provides adequate geographic coverage across the City.
- The severity and duration of the heat event. For example, if excessive heat is forecasted to persist over several consecutive days or if the heat index remains above 95°F into the evening hours. These factors could also lead to some centers remaining open after hours on an emergency basis.
- Availability of power and infrastructure across neighborhoods. Widespread power outages may also trigger the need for additional locations.
- The anticipated drop in temperature.
Community Centers:
- Address: 2125 Santa Fe Ave.
- School Year Hours: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-1600
- Address: 401 Golden Ave.
- School Year Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-8890
- Address: 951 Maine Ave.
- School Year Hours: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-1625
- Address: 2800 Studebaker Road
- School Year Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-3225
- Address: 6301 Myrtle Ave.
- School Year Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-1640
- Address: 1150 E. Fourth St.
- School Year Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-3500
- Address: 1321 E. Anaheim St.
- School Year Hours: Noon to 5 p.m.
- Phone: (562) 570-1655
- Address: 1950 Lemon Ave.
- School Year Hours: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Phone: (562) 570-4405
- Address: 1550 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.
- School Year Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-1605
- Address: 1435 Orizaba Ave.
- School Year Hours: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-1427
- Address: 1545 W. 31st St.
- School Year Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-1675
- Address: 4520 E. 23rd St.
- School Year Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-1685
- Address: 101 E. 28th St.
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Phone: 562-570-1695
The hours listed above are the community centers’ normal Monday-Friday business hours. Residents are advised to contact the community center locations ahead of time to confirm they are open in the case of unexpected closures. People can also visit longbeach.gov/coolingcenters or call the Public Health Information Line at 562-570-7907 for the list of active centers.
Long Beach Public Library locations:
- Alamitos Neighborhood Library – 1836 E. Third St.
- Bach Neighborhood Library – 4055 N. Bellflower Blvd.
- Bay Shore Neighborhood Library – 195 Bay Shore Ave.
- Billie Jean King Main Library – 200 W. Broadway
- Brewitt Neighborhood Library – 4036 E. Anaheim St.
- Burnett Neighborhood Library – 560 E. Hill St.
- Dana Neighborhood Library – 3680 Atlantic Ave.
- El Dorado Neighborhood Library – 2900 N. Studebaker Road
- Harte Neighborhood Library – 1595 W. Willow St.
- Los Altos Neighborhood Library – 5614 E. Britton Drive
- Mark Twain Neighborhood Library – 1401 E. Anaheim St.
- Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library – 5870 Atlantic Ave.
Public Pools
Long Beach has three public swimming pools that residents can use to cool down, at Belmont Plaza, Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Silverado Park. Pools are free for youth under 17. Each pool has specific hours for lap swimming (where you can swim back and forth within a single lane) and recreational swimming, with no lanes.
Belmont Outdoor Temporary Pool – 4320 East Olympic Plaza
Closed Sundays and the following holidays: Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4) and Labor Day (Sept. 1). The pool will also be closed for public use after noon on Aug. 30.
Open Swim Fees:
- Youth (17 years & under): Free
- Adults (18 years and over): $4
- Seniors (50 years and over): $3
Swim Hours:
- Lap swim: Monday through Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon
- Recreation swim: Monday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
For more details about lessons and swim hours, call 562-570-1806.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pool – 1910 Lemon Ave.
Closed on Independence Day (July 4) and Labor Day (Sept. 1).
Open Swim Fees:
- Youth (17 years & under): Free
- Adults (18 years and over): $3
- Seniors (50 years and over): $2
Swim Hours:
- Lap Swim: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Sunday from noon to 1 p.m.
- All-Ages Recreation Swim: Monday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
For more details about lessons and swim hours, call 562-570-1718.
Silverado Park Pool – 1540 W. 32nd St.
Closed on Juneteenth (June 19) and Independence Day (July 4).
Open Swim Fees:
- Youth (17 years & under): Free
- Adults (18 years and over): $3
- Seniors (50 years and over): $2
Swim Hours:
- Lap Swim: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Sunday from noon to 1 p.m., Monday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- All-Ages Recreation Swim: Monday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
For more details about lessons and swim hours, call 562-570-1721.
How alarming it is to see heat waves becoming longer and deadlier each year due to climate change