Beat the Heat in Eldersburg
Updated July 9, 2007, 5:05 pm

Forecasters are predicting a Code Orange for our area today, July 9, 2007, as well as July 10 and 11, 2007. With this poor air quality in addition to the heat and humidy expected today, Carroll County Department of Citizen Services has opened six cooling centers around the county. "Citizens who are vulnerable to extreme heat and do not have air conditioning in their homes are encouraged to cool off in any of the following locations until the close of business," writes Public Information Administrator, Jolene Sullivan. The South Carroll Senior and Community Center on Barthelow Road is Eldersburg's cooling center today. Learn more about Code Orange.

The next three weeks are the hottest weeks of the year on average, with temperatures likely to reach the high 90s. With rising energy prices, Eldersburg is in a tough spot for the rest of the summer. However, there are ways to lower your expenses and keep cool when it all seems too hot to handle.

Updated graph, July 9, 2007. Current temperature trends. Data from The Weather Channel.

Related Links: • Carroll County Government Code Orange Alert • National Weather Service Forecast for Eldersburg • Maryland Weather Blog

Keep Yourself Cool
For your personal health and to keep your body cool, stay hydrated. Especially with the humidity Eldersburg has been experiencing, the conditions are right for heat stroke. If you start to feel faint, slow down, drink some water, and relax. It is best to avoid drinking coffee, tea, or alcohol, as they will actually dehydrate you more. Loose fitting clothing is helpful and will help sweat evaporate more efficiently.

Keep Your House Cool
Insulating your house is just as important in the summer as it is in the winter. If your attic isn't covered, not only will all that expensive air conditioning be wasted, but the sun will heat up your home, too. Insulation keeps in as much as it keeps out. Remember to keep your windows closed and covered when the sun is strong. Not to mention, having the sun shining right into your home isn't cooling anything down.

Great Places for an Ice Cream Fix

If you're not using the computer or the TV, turn it off. You'd be surprised how much heat they generate and how much electricity you’ll save. This applies for indoor cooking as well. Pull out the barbeque and cut up some cantaloupe or watermelon. Most fruits are excellent for summertime; they’re healthy, have natural sugars and give you energy, and they’re great for your complexion.

Things to Keep in Mind
And who could forget swimming? The exercise and cool water are unbeatable. As always, don’t forget to put on sunscreen. Sprinklers are always fun, but keep in mind that Eldersburg is in the middle of a drought, so keep the lawn watering and car washing to a minimum. If you ever need a quick cool, hold your wrists under cold water; it’s amazing how well it works.

There are many other ways to keep your cool this summer, but conserving energy and keeping your body healthy are the easiest and most affordable ways to do so. Hurricane season leftovers should bring cooling rains into our area in August, but until then, keep your cool.

How do you stay cool in Eldersburg?

What others have said:

• DQ!!
• Eat ice cream and avoid doing jumping jacks.

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