Be Prepared for a Hot Weekend

Temperatures will exceed 100 degrees with heat indexes reaching near or at 110 degrees Friday through Sunday. The National Weather Service may issue an Excessive Heat Watch. Severe thunderstorms are possible on Sunday.

Residents may head to one of the three branches of the St. Mary’s County Library to cool off. Branches are open today from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. and tomorrow and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Branches are at the following locations:

• Leonardtown 23250 Hollywood Road Leonardtown, MD 20650 301-475-2846
• Lexington Park 21677 FDR Blvd. Lexington Park, MD 20653 301-863-8188
• Charlotte Hall 37600 New Market Road Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 301-884-2211

The Great Mills Swimming Pool, located at 21100 Great Mills Road in Great Mills, is another way to beat the heat. The pool is open Thursday – Saturday noon – 8 and Sunday from noon – 6 p.m. Pool admission ranges from $3 for non-swimmers to $4 for youth (17 years and under) and seniors (60 years and over) to $5 for adults.

The Spray Ground at Nicolet Park is also available. The Spray Ground is open daily from noon – 6 p.m. Admission is $2 per person.

Monitor Those at High Risk

Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:

• Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
• People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.
• People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
• People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
• People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.

Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, should be checked on more frequently.

Source: St. Mary’s County Public Information Office