Harford County Public Library Branches to Serve as “Cooling Centers” July 17 – 21
With
the heat index expected to exceed 105 degrees, the Harford County Department of
Emergency Services, in cooperation with Harford County Public Library and the
Harford County Health Department, will offer “cooling centers” at library branches
from Wednesday, July 17 through Sunday, July 21, 2019. All branches will
be open as cooling centers for the days and hours listed below, with special
Sunday hours from noon to 5 p.m. at the Bel Air and Aberdeen branches
only.
The following
branches will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday,
and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Aberdeen – 21 Franklin
Street, Aberdeen
Bel Air – 100 E. Pennsylvania
Avenue, Bel Air
Edgewood – 629 Edgewood Road,
Edgewood
Fallston – 1461 Fallston
Road, Fallston
Havre de Grace – 120 N. Union
Avenue, Havre de Grace
Jarrettsville – 3722
Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville
Joppa – 655 Towne Center
Drive, Joppa
Norrisville – 5310
Norrisville Road, White Hall
Whiteford – 2407 Whiteford
Road, Whiteford
The Darlington branch,
located at 1134 Main Street in Darlington, will be open from 3 – 8 p.m. Wednesday; from 12 – 5 p.m. Thursday; from 1 – 5
p.m. Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday.
Updated
library information will be online at www.hcplonline.org or on the Harford
County Public Library Facebook page.
During
periods of extreme heat, the Harford County Department of Emergency Services
encourages citizens to follow these safety guidelines:
- Stay indoors as
much as possible and limit sun exposure; - If you do not
have air conditioning, open your windows and use a fan; - Drink plenty of
water and avoid strenuous activity; - Never leave
children or pets alone in a closed vehicle; - Check on elderly
neighbors and other vulnerable citizens; - Keep pets
hydrated with access to shelter.
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, a 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.
