With cold weather occurring in Southern California, the Los Angeles Fire Department encourages residents to take simple steps to protect themselves from injury and their property from damage. 

Stay Informed

• Register with NotifyLA to receive emergency alerts specific to your geographic area via text, voice, or email message.  You can also follow @NotifyLA and @LAFD on Twitter for alerts and advisories.

Prepare for Winter Weather

• Develop a cold weather safety plan in advance to ensure you’re ready when the temperatures drop.  This includes gathering supplies for you, your family, and your pets including medications, flashlights, extra batteries and non-perishable food.
• Keep a basic winter survival kit in your vehicle including a flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, warm clothes and first-aid supplies.
• The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has a Winter Shelter Program available for those who need shelter. Locations and transportation information are online at https://www.lahsa.org/winter-shelter or by calling the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone. For the deaf and hard of hearing, please call the TDD line at 1-800-660-4026.
• Don’t forget the needs of pets.  Never leave a pet outdoors and consider a buddy system to check on your animal if you’re not home.
• Large animals may need to be evacuated.  Ensure vehicles and trailers are available with experienced handlers and drivers.

Surviving the Cold

• Blankets and layers of loose fitting clothes provide insulation and allow better blood flow to keep your extremities warm.  If working outside, consider at least three layers of clothing including an inner layer of wool, silk, or polypropylene to keep moisture away from the body.  A middle layer of wool or synthetic provides insulation even when wet and an outer wind and rain protection layer will allow ventilation to prevent overheating.  Wearing a hat, gloves, and proper foot protection will also help keep the body warmer.
• Never heat the home with a gas stovetop or oven.
• Use generators and grills away from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Place carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of the home in central locations and outside all sleeping areas.
• If using a space heater, inspect the heater for damage, connect it directly to a wall outlet, and place it on a flat surface with at least 3’ of clearance from flammable items such as rugs, blankets, curtains, or paper. Never leave a space heater unattended.

Prepare for Wet Weather

• Visit the National Weather Service website, and listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio and television news for urgent weather information and emergency bulletins.
• For a full list of how to prepare for rain storms, flooding, and potential debris flows, visit us at LAFD.org/news. 

Storm Damage

• City of Los Angeles residents should call 3-1-1 or (213) 473- 3231, use an on-line form or the MyLA311 app to report potholes, downed street trees, damaged or inoperative street lights or traffic signals, clogged street drains and any storm-related property damage or issue requiring an inspection or action by City of Los Angeles officials.
• If, despite your best efforts, you become a victim of storm or floodwater damage, please visit LAFD.ORG for helpful flood recovery tips.