BALTIMORE COUNTY — Beginning Monday, Baltimore County is opening four cooling centers to help people escape the heat.
In addition, the Recreation and Parks facilities that are serving as cooling centers will utilize the BACOSafe screening process to help protect visitors from COVID-19.
Instructions for the screening process are posted at each cooling center location.
The four Recreation and Parks facilities used as cooling centers include:
- Back River Community Center
- South East Regional Recreation Center
- Randallstown Community Center
- North East Regional Recreation Center
Staffed by Recreation and Parks employees, the cooling centers will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In addition to the BACOSafe screening process, visitors must also wear face coverings and practice social distancing while in the facilities.
Masks will be provided to visitors arriving without a face covering. Residents are also encouraged to use malls and restaurants as havens from the heat. Some additional safety tips to follow include:
- NEVER leave a child or pet in an unattended car.
- Stay hydrated.
- Provide your pet with plenty of water and proper shelter.
- Limit outdoor activity when the temperatures and humidity are extremely high.
- Use sunscreen and reapply often when spending time outdoors.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunglasses when outdoors, but make sure to include a properly worn face covering.
- Remember to check in on elderly or vulnerable family members, friends and neighbors.
