Code Red declared in Baltimore City through Friday – WBAL TV Baltimore

August 10, 2021 Kim Martel

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa has issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert for Tuesday through Friday as temperatures are temperatures are expected to rise and the heat index forecasted to reach over 100 degrees.”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 Dr. Dzirasa. “Extreme heat is particularly dangerous for 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 Department’s Division of Aging will open the following locations as cooling centers through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.:Harford Senior Center 4920 Harford Rd. (410) 426-4009 Hatton Senior Center 2825 Fait Ave. (410) 396-9025 Oliver Senior Center 1700 Gay St. (410) 396-3861 Sandtown Winchester Senior Center 1601 Baker St. (410) 396-7725 Waxter Senior Center 1001 Cathedral St (410)-396-1324 Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging 4501 Reisterstown Rd. (410) 396-3535 Residents who want to visit a cooling center to seek relief from the heat are encouraged to call the cooling center prior to arrival to ensure space is available. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, residents who visit a cooling center must wear a mask and maintain social distancing by remaining at least 6 feet apart from others when possible. You should not visit a cooling center if you have any of the following symptoms:Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks pools will all be open, except for the pool at Liberty Recreation Center. All guests must register in advance online or by phone to secure a pool reservation. Guests are advised to arrive 15 minutes prior to their reservation to check-in. After a 15-minute grace period, pool staff will accept walk-up participants.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, between 11 a.m. to 4. Seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned locations. Check on older, sick, or frail people in your community who may need help in 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 heatstroke. Seek medical help immediately if these symptoms occur: Confusion Nausea Lightheadedness High body temperature with cool and clammy skin Hot, dry, flushed skin 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.

BALTIMORE —

“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 Dr. Dzirasa. “Extreme heat is particularly dangerous for 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 Department’s Division of Aging will open the following locations as cooling centers through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

Harford Senior Center 4920 Harford Rd. (410) 426-4009
Hatton Senior Center 2825 Fait Ave. (410) 396-9025
Oliver Senior Center 1700 Gay St. (410) 396-3861
Sandtown Winchester Senior Center 1601 Baker St. (410) 396-7725
Waxter Senior Center 1001 Cathedral St (410)-396-1324
Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging 4501 Reisterstown Rd. (410) 396-3535

Residents who want to visit a cooling center to seek relief from the heat are encouraged to call the cooling center prior to arrival to ensure space is available. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, residents who visit a cooling center must wear a mask and maintain social distancing by remaining at least 6 feet apart from others when possible.

You should not visit a cooling center if you have any of the following symptoms:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks pools will all be open, except for the pool at Liberty Recreation Center. All guests must register in advance online or by phone to secure a pool reservation. Guests are advised to arrive 15 minutes prior to their reservation to check-in. After a 15-minute grace period, pool staff will accept walk-up participants.

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, between 11 a.m. to 4.
Seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned locations.
Check on older, sick, or frail people in your community who may need help in 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 heatstroke. Seek medical help immediately if these symptoms occur:

Confusion
Nausea
Lightheadedness
High body temperature with cool and clammy skin
Hot, dry, flushed skin
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.