Harford County residents face dangerous heat Wednesday and Thursday, with the National Weather Service issuing a heat advisory for both days. Several cooling centers across the county will be open for anyone who needs a place to get out of the heat.

Where to cool off: Several locations are open during the advisory, with hours varying by site:

  • Harford County Public Libraries: Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • People Inspiring People, 3709 Pulaski Hwy, Unit 8, Abingdon: Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: (443) 402-0185.
  • Fortify by LASOS, 1819 Pulaski Hwy, Suite D, Edgewood: Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: (410) 836-0333.
  • Salvation Army, 300 Seneca Ave, Havre de Grace: Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: (410) 939-3535.
  • Voices of Hope, 7 Aberdeen Shopping Plaza, Aberdeen: Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 6 p.m.

Harford Mall, 696 Belair Rd, Bel Air, is also open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cooling center hours can change. Call ahead to confirm availability before going.

Know the warning signs: Heat exhaustion can cause heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and cool or pale skin. Move to a cool place and drink water. If symptoms last more than an hour or get worse, get medical help.

Heat stroke is more serious and can be deadly. Signs include a body temperature above 103 degrees, hot red skin, confusion, a fast pulse, or loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately.

What to do at home: Health officials recommend drinking water throughout the day even if you do not feel thirsty, staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wearing light-colored, lightweight clothing. Never leave children, older adults, or pets in a parked car.

If the power goes out, move to an air-conditioned location if possible. Run any generators outside and away from windows and doors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

The path forward: The advisory covers Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16.

B.T. Clark

About the Author

B.T. Clark

B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and Publisher of The Harford County Sun and The Free State Press. He brings 25 years of experience in journalism, including 15 years as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta, eight years as Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc., and seven years as Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He and his family recently relocated to Maryland. Clark is also the author of Principles Are Like Pants, You Ought to Have Some.

Discover more from The Harford County Sun

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *