HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FOR WICOMICO COUNTY - COOLING CENTERS ARE OPEN (JULY 28TH and 29TH)

Salisbury, MD - As temperatures soar in the next few days, temperatures will be high 90's with a heat index of 105-114, the Wicomico County Health Department urges residents to be aware of the weather advisories, watches, and warnings affecting the area.

On Saturday, July 29^th Wicomico County will be under a Heat Warning. Please make sure you check on elderly family members and neighbors. As people get older, their natural defenses begin to break down, leaving people age 65 and older more likely to develop health problems related to heat exposure.

Seniors also are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat and are more likely to take prescription medications that affect the body's ability to control its temperature or sweat.

The Heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. This has important considerations for the human body's comfort. When the body gets too hot, it begins to perspire or sweat to cool itself off.

A Heat Advisory is issued when the heat index (how hot it feels when air temperature and humidity combine) is predicted to be 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher during the day or when we have four days of a heat index of 95-99 degrees. Under Heat Advisories, there is a high risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

An Excessive Heat Watch means that a prolonged period of dangerously high temperatures is possible within 48 hours.

An Excessive Heat Warning means a prolonged period of dangerously high temperatures (heat index greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 3 hours during the day or if the heat index is greater than 115 degrees for any period of time) is expected within 24 hours. Under an Excessive Heat Warning, there is an extremely high risk of heat-related illness.

COOLING CENTERS IN WICOMICO COUNTY

Wicomico Youth and Civic Center - Flanders Room 3&4, 500 Glen Ave, Salisbury, MD 21804. Please enter from the Glen Avenue side.

· Open Friday July 28^th and Saturday July 29^th from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

· No pets are permitted

· Residents will need to bring their own food, beverages, and medications

MAC Senior Center - 909 Progress Circle, Suite 200, Salisbury, MD 21804

· Open to individuals over the age of 50 who need shelter from extreme heat

· Open Friday July 28^th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (regular business hours)

Residents of Wicomico County should take precautions to prevent heat-related illness during this period of high temperature.

· Drink plenty of water, and avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages

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

· Schedule outdoor activities before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.

· If outdoors, schedule frequent water breaks and drink 2-4 glasses (16-32 oz.) of fluid each hour

· Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothes

· Take cool baths or showers

· Limit use of the stove or oven

· Bring pets indoors

For more information on local cooling centers, please visit the Wicomico County Health Department's website at www.wicomicohealth.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram (WicomicoHealth) or Twitter (@WicomicoHealth).