Excessive Cold Opens Warming Centers In Anne Arundel County

From Anne Arundel Department of Emergency Management: Anne Arundel County opened warming centers starting Friday night, March 10, at 5 p.m., and again Saturday and Sunday nights as extreme cold weather conditions are expected to return. The National Weather Service is forecasting wind chill temperatures as low as 2 degrees. Warming centers will be open Friday night, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. The following locations will be available to provide warming relief:

The Anne Arundel County Police will make the Community Rooms at the following Precincts
available starting at 5 p.m. Friday night until 7 a.m. Saturday; from 5 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday; and again at 5 p.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Monday.

• Eastern District: 204 Pasadena Rd, Pasadena
• Southern District: 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
• Western District: 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
• Northern District: 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore

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 911. Pets are not allowed
in any warming centers. Accommodations will be made for service animals.

The Office of Emergency Management encourage 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) is usually 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 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 the following 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 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. The 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 elderly or disabled neighbors and relatives.

In accordance with the law, the County Executive has declared a severe weather animal emergency, which requires dogs left outside unattended must be provided the following:

• Fresh clean drinkable non-frozen water at all times
• Dog flaps/doors must be affixed to dog houses (and dogs must be trained/able to use the house with the flap)
• Dog house entrances must be oriented away from prevailing winds
• Dog houses must be elevated off the ground (at least 2 inches and above any accumulated precipitation)
• Dog houses must have abundant dry bedding available inside
• Dog houses must protect an animal against the weather. A dog house, shed, garage or other large area that has temperatures that reach below 33 degrees Fahrenheit inside is too large to allow a dog to maintain adequate body temperature to sustain life will be considered insufficient .

Anne Arundel County Animal Control says that if the temperature or wind chills are expected to be at or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit all dogs should be brought indoors to an area that will not reach below 33 degrees Fahrenheit.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in civil citation (Class D offense with fines ranging from $125.00-$1,000), removal of the animal and/or criminal prosecution depending on the conditions found, such as abuse or neglect of animal or leaving dogs outside and unattended by use of restraints.

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