Heat Alert: Anne Arundel County Opens Cooling Centers

ANNAPOLIS, MD — With the National Weather Service forecasting high temperatures in the low 90s on Friday, Anne Arundel County opened cooling centers at 11 a.m. The locations listed below will be available to provide cooling relief from the oppressive heat and humidity until 8 p.m.

Also, an animal alert has been issued for owners to ensure their pets can cool off, or face fines of up to $1,000.

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

• 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

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The following Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will serve as cooling centers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today:

• Annapolis Regional Library: 1410 West Street, Annapolis
• 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, MD
• 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

Residents requiring transportation to any cooling center should contact the Department of Aging and Disabilities during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 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.

Health officials shared these hot-weather safety reminders:

• Drink more fluids (non-alcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask them how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar – these 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.
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.

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 need much more frequent watching.

The county executive has issued a Severe Weather Animal Alert, which says a dog houses must protect an animal against the weather. Pet owners who do not protect their animals from the heat face fines ranging from $125 to $1,000, could have their animal removed from the home, and face criminal prosecution depending on the conditions found. For more information visit Anne Arundel County Animal Control's website.
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