Baltimore City: Code Red Heat Alert Extended through Sunday, July 8, 2012
BALTIMORE, MD (July 5, 2012) – Because of predicted high temperatures, the ongoing storm recovery effort and the potential danger to health, Commissioner of Health Dr. Oxiris Barbot is extending the current Code Red Heat Alert through Sunday, July 8. Baltimore City will open 21 emergency cooling centers. Each center will have cool air and free water.
The Community Action Program will operate five centers around the city. These centers will be open from 11:00a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
• Northern Community Action Center — 5225 York Road
• Southern Community Action Center — 606 Cherry Hill Road (inside the shopping center 2nd floor)
• Northwest Community Action Center — 3939 Reisterstown Road
• Southeastern Community Action Center — 3411 Bank Street
• Eastern Community Action Center – 1400 E. Federal Street
The Health Department’s Office of Aging and CARE Services will operate six additional cooling
centers. These centers will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
• Waxter Center — 1000 Cathedral Street
• Oliver Center — 1700 N. Gay Street
• Sandtown-Winchester Center — 1601 Baker Street
• Hatton Center — 2825 Fait Avenue
• John Booth — 229 1/2 S. Eaton Street
• Zeta Center — 4501 Reisterstown Road
Additionally, the Department of Recreation and Parks will open nine recreation centers as cooling centers in areas with the greatest number of homes without electricity. These centers will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
• Chick Webb Recreation Center, 623 Eden St.
• Ella Bailey Recreation Center, 100 E. Heath St.
• James McHenry Recreation Center, 911 Hollins St.
• Locust Point Recreation Center, 1627 E. Fort Ave.
• Mount Royal Recreation Center, 120 W. Mosher St.
• Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave.
• Herring Run Recreation Center, 5001 Sinclair Lane
• Roosevelt Recreation Center, 1221 W. 36th St.
• Northwood Recreation Center, 1517 Winford Road
• Mary Rodman Recreation Center, 3600 W. Mulberry St.
“Heat is a silent killer. Residents should take the heat seriously. If you must be outdoors, take frequent breaks from the sun, drink lots of water and avoid consuming alcohol of caffeinated beverages, which speed dehydration,” Commissioner of Health Dr. Oxiris Barbot said. “We will continue reaching out to seniors, especially those that live alone or are medically frail.”
On a Code Red Heat Alert day, the Baltimore City Health Department recommends that city residents:
o Drink plenty of water or juice
o Avoid alcohol and caffeine
o Wipe skin with cool water as needed
o Reduce outside activities
o Wear light-weight and light-colored clothing
o Stay inside during the hottest time of day (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
o Seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned locations
o Check on older, sick, or frail people in your community who may need help responding to the heat
o 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:
o Confusion
o Nausea
o Light-headedness
o High body temperature with cool and clammy skin
o Hot, dry, flushed skin
o Rapid or slowed heart beat
o Seek medical help immediately if any of these symptoms occur
Residents who are concerned about a neighbor can call 311. Call 911 if you are having a heatrelated medical emergency.
City residents who want information on the closest cooling center can call 311, the city service line. Any city resident experiencing the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke should call 911.
For more information, please visit our Website at www.baltimorehealth.org/coderedinfo.