Escape The Heat At Rockville Cooling Centers

With a Wednesday heat advisory for the Washington, DC area calling for temperatures near 100 and humidity bringing the real feel to 105, Rockville is again making cooling centers around the city available to residents.

The following centers are open during regular hours to offer residents somewhere to cool off:

• , 357 Frederick Ave. Open 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend hours. Call 240-314-8780.
• , 1150 Carnation Drive. Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend hours. Call 240-314-8800.
• , 700 Fallsgrove Drive. Open 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend hours. Call 240-314-8840.
• , 12920 Twinbrook Parkway. Open 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend hours. Call 240-314-8830.

The cooling centers offer designated areas where residents may stay and cool down for free. Residents may use center amenities such as computer labs, fitness rooms and drop-in programs with payment of a daily admission fee. An adult must accompany children using the cooling centers.

The city opens cooling centers at the above locations on days when the temperature is 96 degrees or more or when a code orange or code red air quality alert is issued for the county. For more information, call 240-314-5000 or visit  www.rockvillemd.gov.

Montgomery County offers the following tips to stay cool and safe:

1. Stay indoors whenever possible.
2. When outdoors, wear proper protection from the sun.
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Check frequently on elderly relatives or neighbors and other at-risk individuals.
5. Never leave pets or young children in a car.
   

The county also reminds citizens of serious heat exposure in hopes of preventing a serious or life threatening situation:

• Heat cramps: symptoms include painful muscle spasms, usually involving the abdominal muscles or legs
• Heat exhaustion: first signs are cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, dizziness, nausea, headache and weakness
• Heat stroke: the most serious sign of overexposure. Symptoms include red, hot, dry skin, weak pulse, rapid breathing, and changes in consciousness. Seek emergency medical attention by calling 911