Somerset County residents seeking relief from the intense heat in the coming days can visit the following locations to stay cool:

Princess Anne Library (11767 Beechwood St., Princess Anne)  10:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m. Monday – Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Thursday. 410-651-0852

Crisfield Library (100 Collins St., Crisfield) 
10:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m. Monday – Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Thursday. 410-968-0955

Residents should take their own food, beverages, and medications to the cooling centers. Pets are not allowed.

Somerset County Emergency Management and the Somerset County Health Department urge area residents to take the heat seriously and to take appropriate steps to stay safe. Here are some tips to stay cool:

• Stay indoors. Seek air-conditioned environments such as malls, and public places
• Schedule outdoor activities before 10:00 am and after 6:00 pm
• Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothes
• Take cool baths or showers
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun; if you must be outdoors, seek shade
• Drink plenty of fluids without sugar, caffeine, or alcohol
• If outdoors, schedule frequent water breaks and drink 2 – 4 glasses (16 – 32 oz.) of fluid each hour
• Eat light, cool, non-spicy, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads
• Limit the use of the stove or oven
• Check on others such as co-workers, the elderly, and those living alone at least twice a day
• Bring pets indoors. If they must remain outside, make sure they have shade and plenty of clean, fresh water
• If walking your dog, be careful on the asphalt because it can burn their paws
• Avoid alcohol and beverages with high amounts of sugar
• Take cool showers or baths

For more information about extreme heat and more tips on how to stay cool, visit somersethealth.org or ready.gov/heat.