Mayor Craig A. Moe would like the residents of Laurel to know that due to the high heat and humidity in the upcoming days, the City of Laurel will open the Laurel Anderson-Murphy Armory, located at 422 Montgomery Street, as a cooling station in the City from Tuesday through Friday between the hours of 9:00am and 9:00pm.  The Laurel City Pools, also from Tuesday through Friday, will open an hour early. The new hours of operation for the Laurel Municipal Pool, located at 9th and Main Streets, and the Greenview Drive Pool Complex, located at 14403 Greenview Drive, will be from 11:00am – 8:00pm. For more information, you can contact the City of Laurel at 301-725-5300.

 

Temperatures in the high-nineties, combined with high humidity, may create a dangerous situation for children, the elderly, and those who suffer from chronic heart or lung conditions. Code Red is called when there is stagnant air, little chance of rain, high humidity, and temperatures above 95°. Children should reduce outdoor activities, healthy individuals should limit strenuous outdoor work or exercise, and individuals with respiratory or heart ailments should limit all outdoor activities.  Also, stay well hydrated.  Sweat, or water, allows heat to evaporate from your skin’s surface.  If you become dehydrated, it is more difficult for your body to maintain an acceptable temperature.  The best thing to drink is water.  Gatorade or other sports drinks are also good.  Avoid drinks containing alcohol or caffeine.                                                                                                                                                         

Limit heavy exertion when high levels of heat and humidity are present.  High humidity levels make it more difficult for your body to dissipate heat. Tips to follow during the high heat and humidity:

 

At Work

•             Avoid the heat

•             Reduce activity

•             Drink plenty of water

 

Outdoors

•             Wear light-colored clothing

•             Drink plenty of water

•             Take frequent rest breaks in the air conditioning or shade

 

At Home

•             Check on relatives, neighbors and friends, especially the elderly during the extreme heat and humidity of summer

•             Do not leave pets outside unattended during the day. An animal’s way of sweating is to pant when they are extremely hot, so they need to be kept indoors when the temperatures and humidity reach extreme levels.