Health Commissioner Extends Code Red Extreme Heat Alert through Monday

Tuesday Jul 16th, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

D’Paul Nibber: Office: 410-545-0823, Cell: 443-571-8816

BALTIMORE, MD (July 18, 2019) With the heat index continuing to reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the Baltimore region, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa has extended the previously announced Code Red Extreme Heat Alert through Monday, July 22nd.  The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to the human body. 
 
“Excessive heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States. The effects of extreme heat are exacerbated in urban areas, especially when combined with high humidity and poor air quality,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Letitia Dzirasa. “Extreme heat is particularly dangerous to young children, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions. I encourage all residents to take the necessary steps to protect themselves as well as their families, neighbors, and pets.”
 
The Health Commissioner may declare a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert during periods of heat that are severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life or health of vulnerable Baltimore citizens. Once a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert declaration is made, public messaging activities are undertaken to encourage safety when outdoors. There has been one heat-related death in Baltimore City reported by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner this season. Even on days when a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert is not declared, it is important to take precautions.
 
The Community Action Partnership Centers will open the following cooling centers on Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 
Northern Community Action Partnership Center
5225 York Road, (410) 396-6084
Southern Community Action Partnership Center (closed Sunday)
606 Cherry Hill Road (inside the shopping center 2nd floor), (410) 545-0900
Northwest Community Action Partnership Center
3939 Reisterstown Road, (443) 984-1384
Southeast Community Action Partnership Center
3411 Bank Street, (410) 545-6518
Eastern Community Action Partnership Center
1731 E. Chase Street, (410) 545-0136
 
The Health Department’s Division of Aging and CARE Services will open the following locations as cooling centers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday. Waxter Center for Senior Citizens, Sandtown-Winchester Senior Center, Zeta Center and Harford Center will also be open on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
 
Waxter Center for Senior Citizens
1000 Cathedral Street, (410) 396-1324
Oliver Senior Center
1700 Gay Street, (410) 396-3861
Sandtown-Winchester Senior Center
1601 N. Baker Street, (410) 396-7725
Hatton Center
2825 Fait Avenue, (410) 396-9025
John Booth/Hooper Senior Center
2601 E. Baltimore Street., (410) 396-9202
Zeta Center
4501 Reisterstown Road., (410) 396-3535
Harford Center
4920 Harford Road, (410) 426-4009
 
Additional non-profit senior centers will also open as cooling centers on Thursday through Sunday. Call the center locations or 311 for exact hours of operation. 
 
Myerberg Senior Center
3101 Fallstaff Road, (410) 358-6856
Cherry Hill Senior Center
3301 Waterview Avenue, (410) 396-3840
Greenmount Senior Center
425 E. Federal Street, (410) 528-1552
Senior Network of North Senior Center
5828 York Road, (410) 323-7131 
Forest Park Senior Center
4801 Liberty Heights, Ave., (410) 466-2124
 
The Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks will open the following locations as cooling centers on Thursday and Friday only. Call the center locations or 311 for exact hours of operation.
 
Ella Bailey Recreation Center                      
100 E. Heath Street, 410-396-4634
Herring Run Recreation Center                  
5001 Sinclair Lane, 410-396-3060
Mary Rodman Recreation Center             
3600 W. Mulberry St., 410-396-0477
Mt. Royal Recreation Center                       
120 W. Mosher St., 410-396-0374
 
Additional recreation centers will be open Thursday through Saturday. Call the center locations or 311 for exact hours of operation.
 
Chick Webb Recreation Center                   
623 Eden Street, 410-396-7593
Locust Point Recreation Center                  
1627 E. Fort Avenue, 410-837-4423
Samuel F. B. Morse Recreation Center     
424 S. Pulaski Street, Christopher Toney
Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center      
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, 410-396-8490
 
ShopRite Howard Park (4601 Liberty Heights Avenue, 21207) will be open as a community cooling center during their regular hours Tuesday through Monday. Baltimore City Recreation and Parks will also extend pool hours.
 
City residents can also find relief from the heat at:
Stores
Malls
Movie theaters
Homes of family or friends with air conditioning
Restaurants
Libraries
Museums
 
During the Code Red Extreme Heat season, the Baltimore City Health Department recommends that City residents:
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Reduce outside activities.
Stay inside during the hottest time of day (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned locations.
Check on older, sick, or frail people in your community who may need help responding to the heat.
Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles, even for short periods of time.
Watch out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Seek medical help immediately if these symptoms occur:
o Confusion
o Nausea
o Lightheadedness
o High body temperature with cool and clammy skin
o Hot, dry, flushed skin
o Rapid or slowed heartbeat
 
City residents who want cooling center information on Code Red Extreme Heat Alert days can call 311. Individuals having a heat-related medical emergency or who are experiencing the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke should call 911.
 
Information on declared Code Red Extreme Heat Alert days will be shared on the Health Department’s website, Health Department social media (Twitter: @Bmore_Healthy and Facebook: @BaltimoreHealth), the Baltimore City 311 line, and with local news media.
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