An extreme heat warning of category red has been issued for the Baltimore region for this weekend

BALTIMORE – Baltimore City Health Secretary has issued the first extreme heat warning of the season with protection level red.

The warning is valid from Friday, June 21 to Monday, June 24, a dangerous heat wave Temperatures of over 30 degrees are expected this weekend.

“Extreme heat is dangerous for young children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases. Please take immediate steps to cool down and stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable neighbours and loved ones. Their safety is our priority,” said Health Commissioner Dr Ihuoma Emenuga.

The commissioner said heat is the leading cause of weather-related death in the United States.

A Code Red Extreme Heat Warning is issued during a period of extreme heat that may pose a health threat to vulnerable Baltimore residents.

Locations of cooling centers

The Baltimore City Health Department’s Division of Seniors and Community Support will open the following locations as cooling centers on Friday, June 21 and Monday, June 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:

• Harford Senior Center | 4920 Harford Rd. (410) 426-4009
• Oliver Senior Center | 1700 N Gay St. (410) 396-3861
• Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging |4501 Reisterstown Rd. (410) 396-3535
• Waxter Senior Center | 1000 Cathedral St. (410) 396-1324
• Hatton Senior Center | 2825 Fait Ave. (410) 396-9025
• The following Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) locations will open as cooling centers (days and times vary by location):
• My Sisters Place Women’s Center (women and children only)
• 17 W Franklin St. Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon 10:30am – 5:30pm
• Beans & Bread | 400 S. Bond St, Fri. and Mon. 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
• Manna House | 435 E. 25th St. Fri and Mon 11:30am – 3pm
• Franciscan Center | 101 W. 23rd St. Fri. and Mon. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Weinberg Housing & Resource Center (WHRC)
• 620 Fallsway Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
• The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) will open the following locations as cooling centers on Friday and Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.:
• Cherry Hill Homes | 2700 Spelman Road
• Houses in Brooklyn | 4140 10th Street
• ShopRite Howard Park (4601 Liberty Heights Ave.) is open Friday through Monday during regular hours as a cooling center for the community. Residents seeking shelter from the heat can also visit the Pratt Library during regular hours.

Tips for heat protection

During the Code Red extreme heat season, the Baltimore City Health Department has several tips for city residents.

• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Reduce activities outside
• Stay indoors during the hottest time of the day (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
• Seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned places
• Check on elderly and sick people in your community who may need help in the heat
• Never leave children unattended in closed vehicles, even for a short time
• Make sure babies sleep safely. The risk of sleep-related infant death from overheating
• Infants should be placed alone in a crib, lying on their back, and should not have any blankets, pillows or sheets (a flat sheet over the crib mattress is sufficient).
• No headgear
• So-called co-sleeping (sharing a sleeping area with a caregiver or another child) is particularly dangerous.

Watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Get medical attention immediately if these symptoms occur:

• confusion
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• High body temperature with cool and moist skin
• Hot, dry, reddened skin
• Fast or slow heartbeat

City residents seeking more information about Extreme Heat Warning (Code Red) days can call 311. Anyone experiencing a heat-related medical emergency or experiencing signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke should call 911.