Three cooling centers are now open in the Santa Clarita Valley for residents to get relief from the heatwave gripping Southern California, according to Los Angeles County public health officials.

Overheated residents may cool off at the SCV Senior Center, 22900 Market Street, Newhall 91321; the Jo Anne Darcy Library, 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country 91351; and the Valencia Library at 23743 West Valencia Blvd., Valencia 91355.

Temperatures in parts of the county are expected to rise into the 90s and top 100 degrees through the weekend.

Canyon Country, 3pm

Residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of these free cooling centers.

To view a map and list of all county cooling centers, visit lacounty.gov/heat (English) or lacounty.gov/calor (Spanish).

More information is also available by dialing 2-1-1 for LA County resources or 3-1-1 for city of Los Angeles resources.

The county’s Department of Public Health and Office of Emergency Management reminds residents to take the following extra precautions during this heat wave:

* Avoid the sun – stay indoors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the burning rays are strongest.

* Drink plenty of fluids – 2 to 4 glasses of water every hour during times of extreme heat.

* Replace salt and minerals – sweating removes salt and minerals from your body, so replenish these nutrients with low sugar fruit juices or sports drinks during exercise or when working outside.

* Avoid alcohol.

* Pace yourself – reduce physical activity and avoid exercising outdoors during peak heat hours.

* Wear appropriate clothing – wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored lightweight, loose-fitting clothes when you are outdoors.

* Stay cool indoors during peak hours- set your air conditioner between 75° to 80°. If you don’t have air conditioning, take a cool shower twice a day and visit a public air-conditioned facility.

* Monitor those at high risk – check on elderly neighbors and family and friends who do not have air conditioning. Infants and children up to 4 years old, people who overexert during work or exercise (e.g. construction workers) and people 65 years sunscreen are at the highest risk of heat-related illnesses.

* Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 if you need to be in the sun.

* Keep pets indoors – Heat also affects your pets, keep them indoors or if they will be outside, make sure they have plenty of water and a shaded area to help them keep cool.

For more information on heat-related illnesses and prevention, visit the Department of Public Health’s website.