City of Annapolis, Maryland issued the following announcement on June 29.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid to high nineties this weekend. That heat, combined with extremely humid air, will push the heat index, or what the temperature “feels like,” to above 100 degrees.
Mayor Gavin Buckley advises residents to check on family members and neighbors who live without air conditioning. According to the Centers for Disease Control, elderly people (65 years and older), infants and children and people with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress.
The City will open the Roger “Pip” Moyer Community Recreation Center at Truxtun Park (273 Hilltop Lane) as a cooling center from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. beginning Saturday, June 30th, through Monday, July 2nd. Water will be provided.
Those visiting the cooling center at the recreation center at Truxtun Park will not have access to recreation activities. For more information, call the City’s Office of Emergency Management at 410-216-9167.
“If you can offer people a cool indoor place to stay, that’s the best defense against heat-related illness,” Mayor Buckley said. “Employers and supervisors should ensure that all employees working outside have adequate breaks and fluids.”
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’re 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 fight 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.
- Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in locations with air-conditioning such as shopping malls, public libraries, or public health sponsored heat-relief shelters in your area.
- Get informed. Listen to local news and weather channels or contact your local public health department during extreme heat conditions for health and safety updates
- Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages and increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. During hot weather you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour.
- If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
- Don't drink liquids that contain alcohol, or large amounts of sugar. These actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
- Replace salt and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. These are necessary for your body and must be replaced. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.
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