Weather
Dangerous Cold: Warming Centers to Open in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County will have warming centers open Thursday and Friday nights as temperatures drop into the 20s.
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MILLERSVILLE, MD – Anne Arundel County will open warming centers 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, in response to predicted cold weather conditions as wind chills are expected to drop to the mid-teens overnight and Friday night. Warming centers will be open from 5 p.m. Thursday night until 7 a.m. Friday and reopen Friday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 a.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a low around 27 Thursday night, with a low of 24 on Friday.
Anne Arundel County Police will make the community rooms available to provide warming relief at the following district stations both nights.
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- Northern District, 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore
- Eastern District, 204 Pasadena Road, Pasadena (new location)
- Western District, 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
- Southern District, 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
Centers are accessible and have water and restroom facilities. Medical care is not available, and anyone experiencing or observing a medical emergency should call 911. Pets are not allowed in any warming centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals.
»See the hour-by-hour and extended local forecast by clicking the temperature at the top of any Patch page.
Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will be open from 5 to 9 p.m Thursday:
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- Annapolis Regional Library: 1410 West Street, Annapolis
- Broadneck Community Library: 1275 Green Holly Drive, Annapolis
- Brooklyn Park Community Library: 1 East 11th Avenue, Baltimore
- Crofton Community Library: 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton
- Deale Community Library: 5940 Deale-Churchton Road, Deale
- Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library: 269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis
- Edgewater Community Library: 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
- Glen Burnie Regional Library: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie
- Linthicum Community Library: 400 Shipley Road, Linthicum
- Maryland City at Russett Community Library: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel
- Odenton Regional Library: 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton
- Riviera Beach Community Library: 1130 Duvall Highway, Pasadena
- Severn Community Library: 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn
- Severna Park Community Library: 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park
Winter Safety Tips, Frostbite Prevention
The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to exercise caution during extremely cold temperatures. Whether inside or outside, cold weather can be dangerous to those who are not prepared to deal with it.
Advanced hypothermia (decreased core body temperature) is usually accompanied by stiffness, excessive shivering, confusion, slurred speech, numbness or a weak pulse. Watch for the stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles which show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness.
Symptoms of frostbite (skin damage due to cold temperatures) include gradual numbness, pale or purple skin, hard (wooden) skin, or tingling or burning in the affected area. Contact your local emergency services if you or someone you know may be suffering from hypothermia or frostbite.
Children, the elderly and people with poor circulatory systems are at particular risk for hypothermia or frostbite. The Department of Health offers these tips to help residents cope with winter conditions when outside:
- Layer your clothing; it gives more flexibility and control over how warm you stay.
- Avoid cotton clothing for winter activities.
- Prepare for the unexpected. Most problems with hypothermia occur because of an unexpected change in the weather or temperature.
- Wear a warm hat. As much as 50 of body heat is lost through the head.
- Avoid getting wet when the temperature dips.
- Wear waterproof boots or shoes to keep your feet dry.
- Drink plenty of water. Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol
Residents should also be aware of the risks cold weather poses when inside the house. The Department offers the following tips to help residents remain safe in their homes during cold conditions:
- Store several days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water.
- Keep several days’ worth of medications.
- Keep fireplaces and wood-burning stoves clean.
- Never leave space heaters on and unattended.
- Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating properly.
- Check on elderly or disabled neighbors and relatives.
»Photo via Shutterstock
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