Warming Centers Open Jan. 16-22 Across Anne Arundel County

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — In light of extremely cold temperatures forecast for the area, Anne Arundel County officials will be opening warming centers Thursday at 9 p.m. and they will remain open until 9 a.m. Jan. 22. The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures to drop down in the low to mid-20s with wind chill values in the teens.

The following locations will be available to provide warming relief:

Anne Arundel County Public Libraries will designate the following libraries as warming centers from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Jan. 21:
● 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
● Mountain Road Community Library: 4730 Mountain Road, Pasadena
● 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

The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will designate the following senior activity centers as warming centers from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Jan. 21:

● Annapolis Senior Activity Center: 119 South Villa Avenue, Annapolis
● Arnold Senior Activity Center: 44 Church Rd, Arnold
● Brooklyn Park Senior Activity Center: 202 Hammonds Lane Brooklyn Park
● O'Malley Senior Activity Center: 1275 Odenton Road, Odenton
● Pasadena Senior Activity Center: 4103 Mountain Road, Pasadena
● Pascal Senior Activity Center: 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie
● South County Senior Activity Center: 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

Anne Arundel County Police will designate district station community rooms at the following precincts as warming centers overnight from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. from Jan. 16 until Jan. 22:
● Northern District: 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore
● Eastern District: 204 Pasadena Rd, Pasadena
● Western District: 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
● Southern District: 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

Residents requiring transportation to any warming center should contact the transportation office during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (410) 222-0022. All centers are accessible and have water and restroom facilities. Medical care is not available and anyone experiencing or observing a medical emergency should call 9-1-1. Pets are not allowed in any warming centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

The 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 properly handle it. Advanced hypothermia (decreased core body temperature) can be accompanied by stiffness, excessive shivering, confusion, slurred speech, numbness or a weak
pulse. Watch for changes in levels of consciousness and motor coordination, indicated by stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles. Symptoms of frostbite (skin damage due to cold temperatures) include gradual numbness, pale or purple skin, hard (wooden) skin, or a tingling or burning feeling in the impacted area. Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know may be suffering from hypothermia or frostbite.

Children, older adults, and people with poor circulatory systems are at particular risk for hypothermia or frostbite. The Department of Health offers the following tips to help residents cope with winter conditions when outside:
● Layer your clothing to have more flexibility and control over how warm you stay. Avoid cotton clothing for winter activities.
● Prepare for the unexpected. Most hypothermia cases occur due to an unexpected change in the weather or temperature.
● Wear a warm hat; up to 50 percent 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 homes and buildings. The Anne Arundel County Fire 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 older adults and neighbors and relatives with disabilities.