Harford County Libraries to Serve as “Cooling Centers” Tuesday; Heat Index Expected to Exceed 105 Deg

From Harford County government:

With the heat index expected to exceed 105 degrees on Tuesday, August 16, the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, in cooperation with Harford County Public Library and the Harford County Health Department, will utilize libraries as “Cooling Centers” during normal business hours.

On Tuesdays, the Bel Air Library is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the Darlington Library is open from 3 – 8 p.m. All other Harford County locations are open on Tuesdays from 1 – 8 p.m. For updated information, please go to www.hcplonline.org or the Harford County Public Library Facebook page.

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, MD 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 fatigue, 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. Individuals with any of these symptoms, especially older adults, should receive immediate medical attention.