Annapolis, MD (7-12-17) Mayor Michael Pantelides announces that the Roger “Pip” Moyer Community Recreation Center, located at 273 Hilltop Lane, will open as a cooling center Thursday, July 13th and Friday, July 14th from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures to reach near 100 degrees on Thursday. The heat combined with high levels of humidity is creating a concern that residents may suffer from heat-related illnesses.
Individuals visiting the recreation center for the purpose of cooling off will not have access to recreation activities. For more information, call the City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at 410-216-9167.
The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will designate the following Senior Centers as cooling centers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 13 and Friday, July 14 to provide cooling relief to vulnerable populations:
· 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
Visiting children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The following Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will be designated as cooling centers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 13 and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14:
· Annapolis Regional Library: 1410 West Street, Annapolis
· Broadneck Community Library: 1275 Green Holly Drive, Annapolis
· Brooklyn Park Community Library: 1 East 11th Avenue, Baltimore
· 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
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 are 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 work 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.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, elderly people (65 years and older), infants, and people with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress and air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death.