Cooling Centers Open Across Anne Arundel County Aug. 17-19

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Cooling centers will be open across the county Saturday, Aug. 17, through Monday, Aug. 19, to help residents cope with the forecast high temperatures and excessive humidity. Heat index values are expected to surpass 101 degrees and are approaching an orange air quality code.

The following Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities Senior Activity Centers will be open and designated as cooling centers from 10. a.m. to 4. p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17.

• Annapolis Senior Activity Center: 119 South Villa Ave., Annapolis
• Arnold Senior Activity Center: 44 Church Rd., Arnold
• O'Malley Senior Activity Center: 1275 Odenton Rd., Odenton
• Pasadena Senior Activity Center: 4103 Mountain Rd., Pasadena
• Pascal Senior Activity Center: 125 Dorsey Rd., Glen Burnie
• South County Senior Activity Center: 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

The following Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will be open and designated as cooling centers on from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, . and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.

• Broadneck Community Library: 1275 Green Holly Dr., Annapolis
• Brooklyn Park Community Library: 1 East 11th Ave., Baltimore
• Crofton Community Library: 1681 Riedel Rd., Crofton
• Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library: 269 Hillsmere Dr., Annapolis
• Edgewater Community Library: 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
• Glen Burnie Regional Library: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
• Linthicum Community Library: 400 Shipley Rd., Linthicum
• Maryland City at Russett Community Library: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel
• Mountain Road Community Library: 4730 Mountain Rd., Pasadena
• Odenton Regional Library: 1325 Annapolis Rd., Odenton
• Riviera Beach Community Library: 1130 Duvall Highway, Pasadena
• Severn Community Library: 2624 Annapolis Rd., Severn
• Severna Park Community Library: 45 West McKinsey Rd., Severna Park

The following Anne Arundel County Police District Station Community Rooms will be available and designated as cooling centers from 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, until 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.

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

Residents requiring transportation to any cooling center should contact the county office of transportation. All 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 911.

County officials would like to remind residents that 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.

During this time period of high temperatures and sweltering heat indexes, all county residents and visitors are encouraged to do the following:

• Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity level. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has prescribed you water pills, ask them how much you should drink while temperatures are above average.
• Do not drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar, as these can cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks if possible, 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 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a more efficient way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave any person or animal in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others.