Annapolis, Anne Arundel Cooling Facilities Open As Heat Sizzles

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The city of Annapolis has opened cooling centers to residents who need to escape the heat on Monday, officials said, and residents are reminded of the signs of heat stroke. Anne Arundel County will have cooling centers open both Monday and Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon to 8 p.m. Monday. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid- to high-90s Monday, which will combine with extremely humid air to push the heat index, or what the temperature “feels like,” to above 100 degrees.

Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley urges residents to check on family members and neighbors who live without air conditioning. According to the Centers for Disease Control, elderly people (65 years and older), infants and children and people with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress.

The city has opened the Roger “Pip” Moyer Community Recreation Center at Truxtun Park, 273 Hilltop Lane, as a cooling center from noon to 8 p.m. June 18. Water will be provided. Those visiting the cooling center at the recreation center at Truxtun Park will not have access to recreation activities. For more information, call the city’s Office of Emergency Management at 410-216-9167.

“If you can offer people a cool indoor place to stay, that’s the best defense against heat-related illness,” Mayor Buckley said. “Employers and supervisors should ensure that all employees working outside have adequate breaks and fluids."

SEE ALSO: Heat Advisory Issued For Parts Of Maryland

The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will designate these Senior Centers as cooling centers from noon to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday:

• Annapolis Senior Center: 119 South Villa Avenue, Annapolis
• Arnold Senior Center: 44 Church Rd, Arnold
• Brooklyn Park Senior Center: 202 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park
• O'Malley Senior Center: 1275 Odenton Road, Odenton
• Pasadena Senior Center: 4103 Mountain Road, Pasadena
• Pascal Senior Center: 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie
• South County Senior Center: 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

These Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will be open and designated as cooling centers Monday and Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m.

• Annapolis Library (at Monarch Academy): 2000 Capital Drive, Annapolis (open until 5 p.m.)
• Broadneck Community Library: 1275 Green Holly Drive, Annapolis
• Brooklyn Park Community Library: 1 East 11th Avenue, Baltimore
• Crofton Community Library: 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton
• Deale Community Library: 5940 Deale-Churchton Road, Deale
• Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library: 269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis
• Edgewater Community Library: 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
• Glen Burnie Regional Library: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
• Linthicum Community Library: 400 Shipley Road, Linthicum
• Maryland City at Russett Community Library: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel
• Mountain Road Community Library: 4730 Mountain Road, Pasadena
• Odenton Regional Library: 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton
• Riviera Beach Community Library: 1130 Duvall Highway, Pasadena
• Severn Community Library: 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn
• Severna Park Community Library: 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park

Anne Arundel County Police will designate District Station Community Rooms at these precincts as cooling centers from noon to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday:

• Northern District: 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore
• Eastern District: 204 Pasadena Rd, Pasadena
• Western District: 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
• Southern District: 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

Residents requiring transportation to any cooling center should contact the Office of Transportation during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., at 410-222-0022.

All county cooling centers are accessible, air-conditioned and have water and restroom facilities. Medical care is not available and anyone experiencing or observing a medical emergency should call 9-1-1. Pets are not allowed in any cooling centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Annapolis Fire Chief David L. Stokes Sr. warns of the problems that come with the extreme heat, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. He said that crews usually experience an increase in medical calls during extended periods of hot weather.

“Heat-related illnesses are preventable,” Chief Stokes said. “The important thing is to stay well hydrated. The best fluid to drink when you’re sweating is water. It’s also important to be sensible about how much you exert yourself in hot weather. The hotter and more humid it is, the harder the body has to fight to cool itself.”

The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn't enough. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.

Symptoms Of Heat-Related Illness:

• Heat cramps are muscle contractions that are connected to heat and dehydration.
• Heat exhaustion is also a result of excessive heat and dehydration. The signs of heat exhaustion are paleness, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, fainting and increased temperature.
• Heatstroke is the most severe form of heat illness. These people have warm, flushed skin and do not sweat. This is considered a critical medical emergency. These patients must have their temperature reduced quickly and taken directly to the hospital. The Centers for Disease Control offer guidance on extreme heat:
• Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in locations with air-conditioning such as shopping malls, public libraries, or public health sponsored heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Get informed. Listen to local news and weather channels or contact your local public health department during extreme heat conditions for health and safety updates
• Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages and increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. During hot weather, you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour.

What, How Much To Drink:

If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

Don't drink liquids that contain alcohol, or large amounts of sugar. These actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

Replace salt and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. These are necessary for your body and must be replaced. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

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