With the weekend heat index expected to reach 110 degrees, the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, in cooperation with Harford County Public Library, the Harford County Health Department, and Volunteer Fire Companies, will offer “Cooling Centers” at the following sites from Saturday, July 23 through Monday, July 25, 2016.
On Saturday, July 23, Harford library branches will again serve as cooling centers during normal business hours, which are from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at all branches except for Darlington. Darlington operates on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. In addition, extended hours until 8:00 p.m. will be offered at Bel Air Library, Havre de Grace Library and Whiteford Library.
On Sunday, July 24, the following Volunteer Fire Companies will serve as Cooling Centers from noon – 8:00 p.m.
Aberdeen House 1 located at 21 N. Rogers St. in Aberdeen
Bel Air Fire Company House 1 located at 109 S. Hickory Ave in Bel Air
Jarrettsville Fire Company House 1 located at 3825 Federal Hill Road in Jarrettsville
Susquehanna Hose Company House 3 located at 301 Market Street in Havre de Grace
On Monday, July 25, Harford County library branches will serve as cooling centers during normal business hours, which are from 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at all branches except for Darlington. Darlington Library is open on Mondays from 3 – 8 p.m.
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
For updated information, please go to www.hcplonline.org or the Harford County Public Library Facebook page.
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. Persons with any of these symptoms, especially older adults, should receive immediate medical attention.
