Extreme heat prompts Wicomico County to open cooling centers, offer safety tips

Extremely high temperatures on the Eastern Shore this week have prompted Wicomico County officials to open cooling centers and urge the public to take precautions with safety tips.

Cooling centers coming to Wicomico County for Tuesday, Wednesday

A cooling center will be opened Tuesday, July 16, in the Flanders Room at the Wicomico County Civic Center from 1-8 p.m. and Wednesday, July 17, from 3-6 p.m. in the Arena Lobby.

Temperatures with the heat index will be over 105 degrees. The Civic Center is located at 500 Glen Ave. in Salisbury. Residents will need to bring their own food, beverages and medications. Pets are not permitted.

The MAC Inc. Area Agency on Aging will be open Tuesday, July 16, and Wednesday July 17 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as a cooling center for residents ages 55 and over. MAC is located at 909 Progress Circle, Salisbury.

For additional information about cooling centers in Wicomico County, call 211. For more information on heat and summer safety, visit the Wicomico County Health Department’s website at www.wicomicohealth.org and follow @WicomicoHealth on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.

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Wicomico County offers tips to beat the extreme heat

Wicomico County Health Officer Matthew McConaughy reminds residents to stay cool and well hydrated.

“Individuals can quickly develop a heat-related illness, which can become life-threatening if not properly treated," McConaughey says. "Sweating is the body’s way to cool itself, but under some conditions, sweating isn’t enough. This can cause a person’s body temperature to rise rapidly. A very high body temperature may damage the brain or other vital organs."

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According to the county health department, infants, young children, young athletes, obese persons, those older than 65 years of age, outdoor workers, and persons with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a mental illness are at high risk. The Wicomico County Health Department offers these tips to help you stay healthy and cool:

• Stay indoors. Seek air-conditioned environments such as malls, and public places.
• Schedule outdoor activities before 10 am and after 6 pm.
• Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes.
• Take cool baths or showers.
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun; if you must be outdoors, seek shade.
• Drink plenty of fluids without sugar, caffeine or alcohol.
• If outdoors, schedule frequent water breaks and drink 2 – 4 glasses (16 – 32 oz.) of fluid each hour.
• Eat light, cool, non-spicy, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
• Limit the use of the stove or oven.
• Check on others such as co-workers, the elderly, and those living alone at least twice a day.
• Bring pets indoors. If they must remain outside, make sure they have shade and plenty of clean, fresh water.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Extreme heat prompts Wicomico County to open cooling centers, offer safety tips