Harford County Libraries Available as “Warming Centers” Amid Sub-Zero Cold Tuesday

From Harford County Government:

(Forest Hill, MD) – – With high temperatures in the single digits and a wind chill below zero for much of Tuesday, the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, in cooperation with Harford County Public Library will use libraries as “Warming Centers”.
Libraries are not shelters and are only available for the public’s use during normal business hours.

The Bel Air branch of Harford County Public Library is open Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; all other branches of the Library are open to the public from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The branch locations of Harford County Public Library are as follows:

• Aberdeen – 21 Franklin Street, Aberdeen, Maryland 21001
• Abingdon – 2510 Tollgate Road Abingdon, Maryland 21009
• Bel Air – 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air, Maryland 21014
• Darlington – 1134 Main Street, Darlington, Maryland 21034
• Edgewood – 629 Edgewood Road, Edgewood, Maryland 21040
• Fallston – 1461 Fallston Road, Fallston, Maryland 21047
• Havre de Grace – 120 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078
• Jarrettsville – 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville, Maryland 21084
• Joppa – 655 Towne Center Drive, Joppa, Maryland 21085
• Norrisville – 5310 Norrisville Road, White Hall, Maryland 21161
• Whiteford – 2407 Whiteford Road, Whiteford, Maryland 21160

“Harford County is experiencing some of the lowest temperatures in nearly two decades and we are concerned for the safety and well-being of our seniors, young children, persons with special needs and our homeless population”, said Harford County Emergency Manager Rick Ayers. “The Department of Emergency Services is grateful to Director Mary Hastler and Harford County Public Library for offering the use of these facilities as temporary warming centers during this extreme weather event”, Ayers added.

As a result of the extreme weather conditions now facing the public, the risk of hypothermia is a serious concern to emergency management and public safety officials. Signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, victims should be moved immediately to a warm location, and given warm, non-alcoholic beverages if they are conscious. Additionally suspected victims suffering from hypothermia should get medical attention as soon as possible.

For additional information regarding storm preparedness, visit the Harford County Department of Emergency Services website at www.harfordpublicsafety.org or call 410-638-4900.