With the arrival of peak Summer temperatures in Southern California, the Los Angeles Fire Department suggests that you:

• Minimize the risks of hot weather.
• Prepare your household, pets and workplace.
• Plan to get relief from and avoid the effects of heat.

Plan to wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing that covers as much of your skin as practical, and a well-ventilated hat with a wide brim - or carry an umbrella. Wear plenty of sunblock and stay in the shade whenever possible.

Adjust your attire and activities to limit heat exposure and exertion!

Water is normally the best drink during hot weather, and you'll need more than you think. If you have a medical condition or are under a doctor's care, consult with a Physician to determine what is best for you.

Drinks with alcohol or caffeine can make the heat's effects on your body worse. Avoid salt tablets unless directed by a doctor, and plan on eating light, healthy meals.

Key Rules: Drink plenty of water before you become thirsty and rest in the shade before you become tired!

If you feel ill, tell someone immediately. Symptoms of dehydration and heat illness may include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, nausea, muscle cramps, headache and vomiting.

Many heat emergencies occur to people exercising, working or staying alone. Use a buddy system and check on elderly, disabled or at-risk neighbors on a regular basis. If you suspect someone is experiencing a medical emergency from extreme heat exposure, call 9-1-1.

If your home does not have air conditioning, consider a cool place to visit or stay during the hottest part of the day.

Schools, libraries, theaters, shopping malls and community facilities such as senior centers and parks may offer an air-conditioned refuge. To find the status and location of a cooling center in the Greater Los Angeles area, call 2-1-1.

Pets, horses, and livestock are also susceptible to hot weather. See that the special needs of your animals are met, including copious shade and plenty of cool water.

Learn more about hot weather safety at:

emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Stress Hot Weather Safety in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Fire Department is honored to welcome the 2011 'Code 3 for a Cure', as they return from their mission of honor and hope across America remembering those firefighters who have succumbed to cancer and paved the way for better safety equipment and safety procedures used by today’s firefighters.

This Foundation has travelled across the country stopping at various fire departments, collecting the names of fallen firefighters who have died from cancer.  Those names will be read at this ceremony honoring our fallen brothers and sisters, and a fire bell mounted on the fire engine will toll for each name read.

Take just one hour and join the LAFD in honoring those Firefighters who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and help others in need.

• Monday April 18, 2011 at 10:00 AM
• LAFD Historical Society Museum, Old Fire Station 27
• 1355 N. Caheunga Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 

Speakers:
Chief Tonya L. Hoover, Acting California State Fire Marshal

Assistant Chief Mark Stormes, Assistant Fire Marshal, LAFD

“We express our deepest gratitude to the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the LAFD Historical Society,  for their assistance and support in hosting this event.”

http://www.code3foracure.com/

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 'Code 3 for a Cure' Returns from Nationwide Mission

The Los Angeles Fire Department joins the American Diabetes Association to 'Sound the Alert' for the millions of Americans who have diabetes - but don't know it!

March 22, 2011 is the annual American Diabetes Alert Day.

The LAFD is proud to be a part of this effort, and asks you to take a quick and simple on-line test to determine your personal risk.

After all, you could be among the millions unaware they have diabetes. With your help, we will make a difference in preventing and managing diabetes. To learn more, visit:


stopdiabetes.com


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Sounds The Alert About Diabetes

On February 11th (2-11), we focus on sharing word of 2-1-1, the easy to use three-digit dialing code for health and human service assistance in Los Angeles and many parts of North America.

2-1-1 in Los Angeles is your around-the-clock contact for information and referral to health and human services. 211 LA County, formerly known as INFO LINE of Los Angeles, has been providing these services since 1981.

Those calling 2-1-1 by telephone or TDD at any hour are connected to a caring professional who can offer guidance and access to a comprehensive range of services. This includes advocacy and support for the abused, at-risk, hungry, ill, unemployed, disabled or homeless; physical and emotional crisis support with referral to shelter and health care; and of course, a wide variety of private/public social services.

When you're not sure where to turn for advice or referral for human needs, help in Los Angeles is as simple as 2-1-1 or (800) 339-6993.

When you encounter someone in need, encourage them to call 2-1-1. For more information, visit:

www.211LA.org

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Today is 2-1-1 Day in Los Angeles

Ribbons. They're often worn to show our pride, passion and perseverance. While nearly every color of the rainbow has come to symbolize a worthy cause, this week is the 25th anniversary of a project that started it all.

This is Red Ribbon Week.

Millions of people will participate in Red Ribbon events this week, pledging to live and share the virtues of a drug-free life. Even the Empire State Building has been known to get into the act.

Few Americans however, know exactly why people nationwide began displaying this vivid color, or why it is called "The Red Badge of Courage".

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department encourage you to learn about Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena: The Reason Behind The Ribbon.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - We Remember: The Reason Behind the Ribbon

With unseasonally hot weather this week, don't underestimate the heat or overestimate your abilities!

The Los Angeles Fire Department encourages you to stay safe during a heat wave by following the links below - and sharing these hot weather safety tips with your family and friends:

• Firefighters Stress Hot Weather Safety in Los Angeles
• Children, Hot Weather & Cars = Danger!
• Extreme Heat Safety Information

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD: Heat Safety Messages Worth Repeating

While most realize that Neighborhood Firefighters play a critical role in emergencies, the proud title of Caregiver is by no means restricted to public safety or health care professionals.

As we gather with our families and friends this holiday season, the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department ask you to join them in a spirt of compassion and prevention, by frankly assessing and addressing the medical, social and safety needs of those closest to you.

Whether an elderly or infirm person - or a dependant child, our time together during the holidays allows us to both appreciate the challenges before us, and most importantly to ask for help.

Along with local resources in Los Angeles County, including our regional 2-1-1 system, the Federal Government provides information to help family and informal caregivers maintain the comfort, wellness and safety of others. To learn more, visit:

usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Health/caregivers.shtml

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - The Holiday Season - Time to Assess Your Needs as a Caregiver

To a firefighter, the only greater challenge than hearing "You Have Cancer", is having someone tell you "It Can't Be Done!".

Meet retired Santa Ana, California firefighter Lorenzo Abundiz, who has proven that hearing one seemingly fateful expression need not mean believing the other.


A survivor of three types of cancer, and founder of Code 3 For A Cure, Abundiz has traveled across North America sharing a message of hope for all cancer patients, especially those who are active and retired firefighters.

As you may recall, Abundiz departed the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum & Memorial in Hollywood in mid-2008 to commence a celebrity encouraged cross-country expedition.

Today, Abundiz returns to the same location to complete his 2009 journey among friends and supporters. We welcome you to join us:

Monday, November 23, 2009
11:00 AM
Los Angeles Fire Department Museum & Memorial
1355 North Cahuenga Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028 USA

To learn more, visit:

www.code3foracure.com

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Cancer Crusade Ends Nationwide Journey at LAFD Museum

April 2009 is Stress Awareness Month, sponsored by The Health Resource Network (HRN), to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies and misconceptions about stress prevalent in our society.

What is stress?

Stress is a fact of nature. With the overabundance of stress in our lives, stress is thought to be a negative, but biologically, stress can be a neutral, negative or positive experience. Is stress a non-specific response of the body to a demand placed on it? Or, are we having problems or conflicts--emotional, physical, financial, etc., that are painful or troubling.

Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to. When stressed, the body responds as if it were in danger, making hormones that speed up the heart, make you breathe faster and provides a burst of energy, in other words the “fight-or-flight” stress response.

Stress can be an external or internal factor. External factors include: the environment, your job, relationships, situations at home, challenges, difficulties and daily situations you are confronted with.

Internal factors include: the body's ability to respond to or deal with external stress factors. Internal factors include: nutritional, health and fitness levels, emotional well-being and the amount of sleep you get.

Research indicates that stress plays a role in many cardiovascular disorders. It also contributes to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other cardiac risk factors (e.g. smoking, overweight, etc.).

Are you showing the signs of stress?
Excess stress can manifest into emotional, behavioral, and even physical symptoms. Common physical symptoms are:

• sleep disturbances
• muscle tension
• headache
• gastrointestinal disturbances
• fatigue
• nervousness
• anxiety
• changes in eating habits
• loss of energy
• mood changes

Common symptoms of stress which effect the body:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Headache
• Stiff neck, tightness in shoulders
• Back pain
• Rapid breathing
• Sweating
• Nausea or diarrhea

Over time, stress can affect your immune system. Constant stress makes you more prone to get sick more often. With chronic illnesses such as AIDS, added stress makes symptoms worse. Stress is also linked to high blood pressure, abnormal heartbeats, blood clots and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It's also linked to coronary artery disease, heart attack and heart failure.

The top stressors for Americans: money (81%), the economy (80%), work (67%), and health problems affecting the family (67%), according to surveys by the American Psychological Association (APA).

You can learn to manage and control stress by:

• Finding out what is causing the stress in your life.
• Reducing the amount of stress in your life.
• Learning healthy ways to relieve stress and it's harmful effects.

Simple stress relaxation techniques:

• Meditation
• Deep breathing exercises
• Self message
• Take a personal time out
• Music


For more information, the following helpful websites:
Interactive stress measurement tool

The effects of stress on the body

Stress and Cardiovascular Disease

What exactly is Stress?

Stress and the Economy

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Stress Awareness

The Los Angeles Fire Department is partnering with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to bring you timely and accurate information regarding recent:

• Salmonella Typhimurium infections
• Recalls of peanut containing products

To assist today's federal effort, the LAFD News & Information blog is featuring a web link and on-line widget allowing blog visitors to search for peanut containing products subject to recall...

Will You Help Us?

During this time of public uncertainty, we're asking webmasters and bloggers across our nation to temporarily include this widget on their sites. You can easily publish this real-time display by clicking here or on the 'Share' tab in the widget above.

For additional information, call: 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit:

www.fda.gov
www.cdc.gov

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Salmonella and Peanut Recall Information Available on LAFD Blog