Charles County, MD – With bitterly cold temperatures in the forecast, citizens are encouraged to prepare for extreme cold temperatures. Residents should prepare their vehicles and homes for extreme cold, as well as watch for warning signs of extreme cold. Extreme cold can cause degrees of frostbite and hypothermia.
During Extreme Cold
- Check on your elderly friends, family members and neighbors
- Bring your pets and plants indoors
- Dress in multiple layers if you go outdoors
- Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately
- Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Get medical help as soon as possible
- If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).
- Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.
- Check your Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detectors.
Warming Centers
Capital Clubhouse, 3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf
Open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Daily
Charles County Public Library, all branches
La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Ave., La Plata
P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, 50 Village St., Waldorf
Potomac Branch, 3225 Ruth B. Swan Drive, Indian Head
Waldorf West, 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf
- All branches open:
- Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Department of Community Services, 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco
Lobby hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Nanjemoy Community Center, 4375 Port Tobacco Road, Nanjemoy
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Richard R. Clark Senior Center, 1210 Charles St., La Plata
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
If you require a warming shelter or know of someone in need of shelter after hours, please contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Department at 301-932-2222.
For additional information on winter weather and safety tips, visit: www.ready.gov/winter-weather.