It’s going to be a hot one! The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for parts of Maryland. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high 90s, with heat index values between 105 and 110 degrees. Aside from being uncomfortable, extreme heat can be dangerous. Here are a few tips, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for staying safe and preventing heat-related illness:
Stay Cool:
Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, limit your time outdoors (and wear sunscreen if you do need to go outside), and spend time in air-conditioned places. If your home isn’t air conditioned, several counties have opened cooling centers to give residents relief through the weekend. Locations include:
- Anne Arundel County: Click here for a full list of cooling centers.
- Kent County: the Kent County Community Center and all branches of the Kent County Public Library.
- Queen Anne’s County: the Kent Island Senior Center, the Grasonville Senior Center, the Sudlersville Senior Center, and the Kramer Center. Click here for more information.
Stay hydrated:
Drink plenty of fluids and stay away from alcoholic drinks. Have a sports drink to replenish salt and minerals lost while sweating. Make sure your pets have plenty of fresh water.
Stay informed:
Check local news for updates and safety tips, learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and monitor those at greater risk—including infants and young children, people 65 years of age or older, and those who are overweight or physically ill.
Even though it’ll be toasty outside, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the weekend. Here are a few activities to keep you cool, safe, and entertained:
Go to the movies:
Head to your favorite movie theater and enjoy a great film while relaxing in the A/C. Current box office hits include Spider-Man: Far From Home and Toy Story 4. Or catch a new release, like the highly-anticipated remake of The Lion King, which hits theaters this Friday.
Take a dip:
Nothing is quite as refreshing as taking a swim on a hot day! North Arundel Aquatic Center, the George Murphy Community Pool, and the Bay Hundred Community Pool are great options. All three pools offer daily passes for kids and adults.
Get the scoop:
Or rather, get a scoop (or two) of ice cream! Coincidentally, National Ice Cream Day happens to be this Sunday, July 21st—all the more reason to head to your favorite ice cream spot. Check out some tasty ice cream shops here.
Visit a museum:
Explore a local gallery or museum. Recent exhibition openings include Patterns of Eastern Shore Life at RiverArts and Photography of Fran Stetina at Quiet Waters Park. Plein Air Easton concludes this weekend with an exhibit and a sale where you can view and purchase paintings created by the 58 competing artists. Or, if you’re up for a day trip, head to D.C. on Saturday for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. The National Air and Space Museum will be hosting a variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities commemorating the historical milestone.
Hit the ice:
Yes, you can still ice skate in the summertime! The Bowie Ice Arena and Piney Orchard Ice Arena both offer public skate sessions throughout the summer. Check the arena website for exact dates and times.
Relax at home:
Sometimes, it’s just too hot to do anything at all. The weather this weekend is a great excuse to stay home and play a board game with friends and family, or catch up on your favorite tv show. If you don’t already have a subscription to a streaming service, most platforms offer free trials including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO NOW.
