Severe heat triggers Code Red Extreme Heat Warning in Baltimore, operating cooling centers as a precaution
Baltimore Braces for Dangerous Heatwave: City Prioritizes Resident Safety
Baltimore is gearing up for a scorching heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach the upper 90s and feel like at least 105 degrees. In response, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has prioritized the health and well-being of residents, urging everyone to take precautions during the heatwave.
Interim Health Commissioner Mary Beth Haller has issued a call to action, urging Baltimoreans to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and check in on neighbors and loved ones, especially older adults, children, pets, and city employees working outdoors. Extreme heat can be life-threatening for these groups.
To help combat the heat, several cooling centers will be open throughout Baltimore during the Code Red Extreme Heat Alert. ShopRite of Howard Park will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., while other centers will operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Zion Lutheran Church will be a cooling center on July 29.
However, it's important to note that specific Baltimore City cooling center locations during this alert may not be listed in the available sources. Residents are advised to check Baltimore City's official health department or emergency management websites or call local hotlines for more detailed information.
The Code Red Extreme Heat Alert allows Baltimore City to enhance safety protocols for frontline and outdoor employees, including sanitation crews, public works staff, emergency responders, and others working in high-exposure environments.
To prevent heat-related illnesses, residents are encouraged to stay in the shade, take breaks, stay indoors during the hottest time of day, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine, wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen, never leave children or pets in cars, take cool showers or baths to cool down, stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as possible, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.
The WJZ First Alert Team has issued Alert Days for July 29, 2022, due to the risk of dangerous heat, particularly for those who are working outdoors. Tips to prevent heat-related illnesses align with those issued throughout Maryland, including Howard County. These precautions include never leaving children or pets unattended in parked cars or hot environments, staying well hydrated with water or caffeine-free liquids, avoiding sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., taking frequent rest breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas, and checking on elderly friends, family, and neighbors for heat illness symptoms.
Friday, July 29, is expected to be one of the toughest days of the heatwave. On Saturday, July 26, My Sister's Place Women's Center will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Weinberg Housing Resource Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Monday, July 28, Zion Lutheran Church will not be a cooling center.
In summary, Baltimore City is taking measures to ensure the safety of its residents during the upcoming heatwave. Cooling centers will be available, but specific locations may not be listed in the available sources. Residents are advised to check Baltimore City's official health department or emergency management websites or call local hotlines for more detailed information. Heat safety precautions align with those issued throughout Maryland, and it's crucial to take necessary precautions to stay safe during the heatwave.
- As the heatwave approaches, it's essential to prioritize health and well-being, especially for vulnerable groups like children, older adults, pets, and outdoor workers, who are at a higher risk during extreme heat.
- Newscast channels like WJZ First Alert are providing alerts and tips to prevent heat-related illnesses, emphasizing the importance of hydration, shade, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity during the peak heat hours.
- Climate scientists warn that we might observe more frequent and intense heatwaves due to global warming, making the science of weather and climate more relevant than ever in shaping our health and wellness practices and laws.
- During the Code Red Extreme Heat Alert, certain laws, such as those related to safety protocols for frontline and outdoor employees, may be augmented to ensure a safer working environment.
