Heat Alert: Cooling Centers Open In Anne Arundel County May 19

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Yet another day of oppressive heat, humidity and poor air quality on Friday while make the expected high of 87 degrees feel even more miserable. To give residents a break from the scorching condition, cooling centers are opening Friday morning across Anne Arundel County as a respite.

If you have neighbors or know of someone who lives without air conditioning, Annapolis leaders urge you to check on them or offer them a cooler place to stay. A cool indoor location is the best defense against heat-related illness.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will open the following cooling centers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Visiting children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

• 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

Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will be open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday.

• Annapolis Area Library: 1410 West Street, 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

The Anne Arundel County Police will make the Community Rooms at these precincts available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

• 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 who need a ride to any cooling center should contact the Department of Aging and Disabilities during normal business hours at 410-222-0022.

All 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 911. Pets are not allowed in any cooling centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals.

Experts offer these safety tips for handling heat and humidity.

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him 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.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to an air conditioned public place or a County cooling center–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:

• Infants and young children
• People aged 65 or older
• People who have a mental illness
• Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.