Harford County Public Libraries Serve as Cooling Centers as Heat Index Approaches 105 Degrees

From Harford County government:

With high temperatures and heat index expected to reach nearly 105 degrees on Tuesday, July 16, the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, in cooperation with Harford County Public Library and the Harford County Health Department will use libraries as “Cooling Centers” throughout the county.

All Harford County Public Libraries will serve as “Cooling Centers” for public use during normal business hours from Tuesday, July 16 through Friday, July 19, 2013.

The hours of operation for the various library branches are as follows:

Tuesday and Thursday – Bel Air Library – 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Darlington Library – 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
All other branches will be open from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Monday and Wednesday – All branches except Darlington – 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Darlington Library – 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday – All branches except Darlington – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Darlington Library – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Harford County Public Libraries were used as “Cooling Centers” last summer due to extreme heat and severe weather conditions.

The branch locations of Harford County Public Library are as follows:

– Aberdeen – 21 Franklin Street, Aberdeen, Maryland 21001
– Abingdon – 2510 Tollgate Road Abingdon, Maryland 21009
– Bel Air – 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air, Maryland 21014
– Darlington – 1134 Main Street, Darlington, Maryland 21034
– Edgewood – 629 Edgewood Road, Edgewood, Maryland 21040
– Fallston – 1461 Fallston Road, Fallston, Maryland 21047
– Havre de Grace – 120 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078
– Jarrettsville – 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville, Maryland 21084
– Joppa – 655 Towne Center Drive, Joppa, Maryland 21085
– Norrisville – 5310 Norrisville Road, White Hall, Maryland 21161
– Whiteford – 2407 Whiteford Road, Whiteford, Maryland 21160

According to the Harford County Health Department, heat illness takes many forms, including heat fatigues, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion or the most serious, heat stroke.

Heat stroke is an advanced form of heat stress that occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control its temperature. A person with a body temperature above 104 degrees is likely suffering from heat stroke and may have symptoms of confusion, combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, possible delirium or coma. Persons with any of these symptoms should receive immediate medical attention, especially older adults.

For additional information regarding heat health issues and preventive measures, visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Extreme Heat website http://dhmh.maryland.gov/extremeheat.SitePages/Home.aspx. the Harford County Health Department website at www.harfordcountyhealth.com or the Harford County Department of Emergency Services at www.harfordpublicsafety.org.