Escape Wednesday's Heat At City's Official Cooling Center

With a Wednesday heat advisory for the Washington, DC-area calling for temperatures near 100 and humidity bringing the real feel to 105, Gaithersburg is encouraging its residents to find places where they can stay cool and to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.

The city's official cooling center, , is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday to anyone looking to escape the heat.

Montgomery County offers the following tips to stay cool and safe:

1. Stay indoors whenever possible.
2. When outdoors, wear proper protection from the sun.
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Check frequently on elderly relatives or neighbors and other at-risk individuals.
5. Never leave pets or young children in a car.
   

The county also reminds citizens of serious heat exposure in hopes of preventing a serious or life threatening situation:

• Heat cramps: symptoms include painful muscle spasms, usually involving the abdominal muscles or legs
• Heat exhaustion: first signs are cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, dizziness, nausea, headache and weakness
• Heat stroke: the most serious sign of overexposure. Symptoms include red, hot, dry skin, weak pulse, rapid breathing, and changes in consciousness. Seek emergency medical attention by calling 911