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Monday, July 20, 2015

WICOMICO COUNTY ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF A COOLING CENTER

(Salisbury, MD) Extreme heat will be affecting our area this week. According to the National Weather Service, the heat index will exceed 100 degrees today and Tuesday. County Executive Bob Culver, with the support of Health Officer, Lori Brewster and David Shipley Director of Emergency Services, has announced the opening of a cooling center to operate from Monday, July 20th through Tuesday, July 21st. The cooling center will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located at the Wicomico County Civic Center on500 Glen Avenue Salisbury, Maryland 21804. No pets will be permitted. Residents will need to bring their own food, beverages, and medications.

The MAC Senior Center will also be opened for all individuals over the age of 50 who need shelter from the extreme heat. The MAC Senior Center is located at 909 Progress Circle, Suite 200 Salisbury, MD 21804. The center’s hours of operation have been extended until 8:00 p.m. Residents do not need to be affiliated with the MAC Center.

Anyone needing free transportation to the Civic Center or the MAC Senior Center should call Shore Transit at 443-260-2300.

During these extreme heat conditions, health officials are urging residents to be careful, stay cool, and keep hydrated. While temperatures and heat indices rise to record breaking levels, so does the risk for heat related illness.

“One of the most critical things we can do is to ensure our neighbors and relatives are safe is to check in on them at least twice daily,” says Lori Brewster, Health Officer for Wicomico County. “Infants, young children, young athletes, obese persons, those older than 65 years of age, and those persons with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a mental illness are at highest risk for heat related illness. Family, friends, and neighbors who are at high risk will need extra help and residents should consider how to help someone get to an air-conditioned place, if needed.”

For local and updated cooling center information, facts on heat related illness, or additional tips on how to stay cool, residents should call 211, or visit the Wicomico County Health Department's website atwww.wicomicohealth.org or www.facebook.com/wicomicohealth.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

And don't leave a bunch of trash behind,especially when people are trying to help you!!

Anonymous said...

With some people their Pets are their life---that's
all they have. I would think pets would be allowed
with their Senior owners as theyare the ones who are
responsible for taking them in/out at home. Bringing
them in a crate should present nooooo problem!
I wish they would reconsider. As with the floods/tornados
in various states people would not leave their pets behind
& put them in harms way. They same can happen here with
them not allowing a persons pet!

Consideration seems to be needed for the Senior people who
are at tremendous risk from the heat----as well as the animal!

Anonymous said...

Please remember this is a Bob Culver initiative, not Liarton or Fake Day!

Anonymous said...

Please put this post on top -- it's that important.