Heat Emergency Leads County To Open Cooling Centers, Watch Pets

ROCKVILLE, MD — With soaring heat and humidity baking Montgomery County, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has issued a heat emergency alert effective through 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, due to the National Weather Service forecast for extremely dangerous temperatures.

Cooling centers are open and animal control officers will be enforcing laws if pets are left in cars or otherwise in danger from the heat.

A heat emergency is declared when the heat index is forecast to be 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. While nighttime temperatures will be lower, they still pose a health threat with extended exposure.

Extreme heat affects the body's ability to regulate temperature, which can create dangerous conditions if appropriate safety measures are not taken. Heat may affect air quality, especially in urban areas, and may have a stronger impact on the elderly, children and sick persons.

“The heat index over the next several days will be dangerous,” said Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Dr. Earl Stoddard in a news release. “We encourage residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones and keep a check on elderly friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure they are not showing signs of heat-related illnesses.”

Residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their pets, against heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

The county will open cooling centers at these location and various days:

Monday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

• Former Silver Spring Library Redevelopment, 8901 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
• Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Dr, Rockville,
• East County Community Recreation Center, 3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring
• Montgomery County Animal Services (Conference Room), 7315 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood
• White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring
• Good Hope Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring
• Executive Office Building cafeteria, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville
• Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring
• Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, 4301 E W Hwy, Bethesda
• 3301 Weller Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20906 [updated]
• Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring
• Sidney Kramer Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road Germantown

Tuesday, from noon to 6 p.m.:

• Former Silver Spring Library Redevelopment, 8901 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
• Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Dr, Rockville,
• Good Hope Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring
• Montgomery County Animal Services (Community Room), 7315 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood

Masks are required at all times in the cooling centers and will be available, if needed. Do not visit a cooling center if you have a cough, fever, or any other symptoms of illness.

At any time during the heat emergency anyone seeking shelter may use any Ride On Bus to cool down during service hours. The buses are available for free. More information is available on the bus schedule on the at the DOT website.

The following precautions may help residents remain safe and comfortable during excessive heat days:

• Stay indoors, whenever possible. Keep blinds or curtains closed to keep the inside cooler.
• Keep in mind: Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they may not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a better way to cool off. Use the stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature.
• Avoid strenuous activities that can result in overexposure to the sun, such as sports and gardening. If you must do a strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning before 9 a.m.
• If you’re spending time outdoors, take frequent breaks in a cool, shaded location.
• Drink plenty of water. Dehydration, cramps, exhaustion or heat stroke can result from not drinking enough fluids. Water is the safest liquid to drink.
• Avoid alcohol or caffeine.
• When outdoors, wear proper protection from the sun. Light-colored clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are strongly recommended.
• Never leave people or pets in a vehicle for ANY amount of time, even with the window open. The temperature inside parked cars can reach 130 degrees in only a few minutes.
• Monitor and frequently check on those at high risk. Those at greatest risk of heat-related illness include:

• Infants and children up to four years of age;
• Individuals 65 years of age and older;
• Individuals who are ill or on certain medications; and
• Individuals who are overweight.

Heat exposure can be life threatening. Should any of the following occur, get out of the heat, loosen any tight or heavy clothing, and drink plenty of water:

• Heat cramps: symptoms include painful muscle spasms, usually involving the abdominal muscles or legs;
• Heat exhaustion: first signs are cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, dizziness, nausea, headache and weakness; and
• Heat stroke: the most serious sign of overexposure. Symptoms include red, hot, dry skin, weak pulse, rapid breathing and changes in consciousness. Seek medical attention by calling 9-1-1.

The Office of Animal Services will enforce anti-cruelty regulations for dogs and other pets during this heat emergency. Pet owners must not leave pets unattended in vehicles or outdoors.

Sign up for the County's Alert Montgomery notification system to receive emergency alerts regarding weather and other emergency information.

For general information about county programs and services, call 3-1-1.

For information on heat emergency and hot weather safety tips are available on the Heat Emergency webpage.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website as well as the County’s data dashboard or follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCountyMD.