Cooling Center in Wicomico County to Open Wednesday and Thursday, August 29 and 30, 2018

A cooling center will be opened at the Wicomico County Civic Center (Flanders Room) on Wednesday and Thursday, August 29 and 30, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Civic Center is located at 500 Glen Avenue Salisbury, MD 21804. Residents will need to bring their own food, beverages, and medications. No pets are permitted. Anyone needing transportation to the Civic Center should call Shore Transit at 443-260-2300 (select “dispatch” option).

The MAC Inc., Senior Center will open a cooling center on Thursday, August 29 only, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., for residents ages 55 and over. MAC is located at 909 Progress Circle, Salisbury, MD 21804.

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 increased risk for a heat-related illness. A heat-related illness can become life-threatening very quickly. The Wicomico County Health Department urges everyone to practice these stay cool safety tips:

§ Seek air-conditioned environments such as malls, libraries and public places. Stay indoors.

§ Schedule outdoor activities before 10:00 am and after 6:00 pm.

§ Take a cool bath or shower.

§ Minimize direct exposure to the sun, if you must be outdoors, seek shade.

§ Stay hydrated – regularly drink water or other nonalcoholic fluids.

§ Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.

§ Limit using the stove or oven to keep the house cooler.

§ Check on others; co-workers, the elderly, and those living alone.

§ Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothes.

§ Bring pets indoors. If they must remain outside make sure they have shade and plenty of clean, fresh water.

For additional information about cooling centers in Wicomico County, call 211. For more information on heat and summer safety, visit the Wicomico County Health Department website at www.wicomicohealth.org and follow @WicomicoHealth on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates