D’Paul Nibber: Office: 410-545-0823, Cell: 443-571-8816

BALTIMORE, MD (July 2, 2019) With a forecasted heat wave to grip the Baltimore region this week, and a heat index expected to reach 97 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for several days, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa has issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert for tomorrow, Wednesday, July 3^rd through Saturday, July 6^th.   The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to the human body. 

“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 Commissioner of Health Dr. Letitia Dzirasa. “Extreme heat is particularly dangerous to 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 Commissioner may declare a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert during periods of heat that are severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life or health of vulnerable Baltimore citizens. Once a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert declaration is made, public messaging activities are undertaken to encourage safety when outdoors.  Even on days when a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert is not declared, it is important to take precautions.

The Mayor's Office of Human Services’ Community Action Partnership will open the following cooling centers on Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

• Northern Community Action Partnership Center
  5225 York Road, (410) 396-6084
• Southern Community Action Partnership Center
  606 Cherry Hill Road (inside the shopping center 2nd floor), (410) 545-0900,
• Northwest Community Action Partnership Center
  3939 Reisterstown Road, (443) 984-1384
• Southeast Community Action Partnership Center
  3411 Bank Street, (410) 545-6518
• Eastern Community Action Partnership Center
  1731 E. Chase Street, (410) 545-0136

The Health Department’s Division of Aging and CARE Services will also open the following locations as cooling centers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday:

• Waxter Center for Senior Citizens
  1000 Cathedral Street, (410) 396-1324
• Oliver Senior Center
  1700 Gay Street, (410) 396-3861
• Sandtown-Winchester Senior Center
  1601 N. Baker Street, (410) 396-7725
• Hatton Senior Center
  2825 Fait Avenue, (410) 396-9025
• John Booth/Hooper Senior Center
  2601 E. Baltimore Street., (410) 396-9202
• Zeta Center
  4501 Reisterstown Road., (410) 396-3535

Community Action Partnership Centers and Baltimore City Health Department Senior Centers are closed on Thursday, July 4^th.

Additionally, ShopRite Howard Park (4601 Liberty Heights Ave, 21207) will be open as a community cooling center during their regular hours Wednesday through Saturday.  The Baltimore City Recreation and Parks will also extend pool hours.

City residents can also find relief from the heat at:

• Stores
• Malls
• Movie Theaters
• Homes of family or friends with air conditioning
• Restaurants
• Libraries
• Museums

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 (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
• Seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned locations.
• Check on older, sick, or frail people in your community who may need help responding to 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 heat stroke.  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.

Information on declared Code Red Extreme Heat Alert days will be shared on the Health Department’s website, Health Department social media (Twitter: @Bmore_Healthy and Facebook: @BaltimoreHealth), the Baltimore City 311 line, and with local news media.