With the heat index expected to reach 100 degrees today, the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, in cooperation with Harford County Public Library and the Harford County Health Department will utilize libraries as “Cooling Centers” this week.
All Harford County Public Libraries will serve as “Cooling Centers” for the public’s use during normal business hours this week. On Mondays and Wednesdays, all branches are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. except Darlington, which is open from 3 to 8 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Bel Air Library is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the Darlington Library is open Tuesdays from 3 to 8 p.m. and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. All other locations are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all locations except Darlington, which is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all locations except for Darlington which is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For updated information go to www.hcplonline.org or the Harford County Public Library Facebook page.
The branch locations of Harford County Public Library are as follows:
Aberdeen – 21 Franklin Street, Aberdeen, Maryland 21001
Abingdon – 2510 Tollgate Road Abingdon, Maryland 21009
Bel Air – 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air, Maryland 21014
Darlington – 1134 Main Street, Darlington, Maryland 21034
Edgewood – 629 Edgewood Road, Edgewood, Maryland 21040
Fallston – 1461 Fallston Road, Fallston, Maryland 21047
Havre de Grace – 120 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
Jarrettsville – 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville, Maryland 21084
Joppa – 655 Towne Center Drive, Joppa, Maryland 21085
Norrisville – 5310 Norrisville Road, White Hall, Maryland 21161
Whiteford – 2407 Whiteford Road, Whiteford, Maryland 21160
According to the Harford County Health Department, heat illness takes many forms, including heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion or the most serious, heat stroke.
Heat stroke is an advanced form of heat stress that occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control its temperature. A person with a body temperature above 104 degrees is likely suffering from heat stroke and may have symptoms of confusion, combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, possible delirium or coma. Persons with any of these symptoms, especially older adults, should receive immediate medical attention.