COOLING CENTERS: The 2024 Code Red Plan covers the period beginning May 15, 2024 and ending on September 15, 2024. A Code Red Extreme Heat Alert will be issued by the Health Commissioner when the forecasted heat index, a measure of air temperature and humidity, is greater than or equal to 105ºF. When the heat index is equal to or greater than 110F, the Health Commissioner may declare ‘Severe Code Red’ which opens additional cooling centers and other services. Updated information about Code Red can be found on the website and a map of cooling centers is located at https://baltimore.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=e630ac9462134ecb8a479bea9ad72fda¢er=-76.6186;39.3003&level=12

The Health Commissioner may also issue a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert when the heat index is 95F or higher AND air quality is “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (USG) or higher as stated on www.airnow.gov.

When possible, the decision to declare a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert will be made by 3PM on the day before extreme heat is forecasted. Individuals unsure of whether a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert is in effect can call 311 or visit the website for details, cooling center locations, safety tips, and health information. Individuals can also call 311 to report specific concerns about vulnerable neighbors on Code Red Extreme Heat Alert days. Residents need to call 911 if someone is having a heat-related emergency. Information on declared Code Red Extreme Heat Alert days will be shared on the Health Department’s website, Health Department social media (Twitter: @Bmore_Healthy and Facebook: @BaltimoreHealth), the Baltimore City 311 line, the website, and local news media.

The Baltimore City Health Department recommends that City residents:
• Drink plenty of water, even if they are not thirsty.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Reduce outside activities.
• Stay inside during the hottest time of day (11AM to 4PM).
• Seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned locations.
• Check on older, sick, or frail people in your community who may need help responding to the heat.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles, even for short periods of time.
• Watch out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke: confusion; nausea; light-headedness; high body temperature with cool and clammy skin; hot, dry, flushed skin; and; rapid or slowed heartbeat;
• Seek medical help immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

Additional steps to prepare the home if it doesn’t have air conditioning:
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, or awnings.
• Considering making temporary window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to place between windows and drapes.
• With temperatures starting to climb, consider purchasing a window air conditioner and insulation.
• Take a cool bath and stay hydrated when temperatures increase indoors.

Cooling Center Services: All cooling centers are air-conditioned and will supply drinking water for residents in need during extreme heat events. Information regarding the number and location of cooling centers will be made available through local media and will also be given to 311 operators.

Primary Cooling Center sites are closed on City holidays and weekends except for ShopRite of Howard Park and MOHS sites.

TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS TO COOLING CENTERS: When cooling centers open, emergency transportation to and from cooling centers will be available for seniors age 60 and older through the CARE Taxi Card Program. Pre-enrollment is typically required for this program but is waived during the Code Red Extreme Heat season. The CARE Taxi Card Program contact is MJM management, 410-664-0700, 8AM – 5PM, Mon-Fri. http://www.caretaxicard.com/

People experiencing homelessness will be able to access cold water at all City funded emergency shelters and drop-in centers on Code Red Extreme Heat days. City funded shelters will allow their residents to shelter-in-place during Code Red Extreme Heat declarations.

Holiday Inn Express - Men's Shelter
1701 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

Weinberg Housing & Resource Center - Men's & Women's Shelter
600 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202, 11AM-5PM

Fairfield Inn - Women's Shelter
101 South President Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Sarah's Hope Family Shelter
1114 North Mount Street, Baltimore, MD 21217

People Encouraging People - Outreach Office
4201 Primrose Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215

Downtown Partnership - Outreach Office
20 South Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

During Code Red alerts, Cooling Centers are available to people experiencing homelessness. Days and hours of availability vary by center and are detailed below.

My Sisters Place Women's Center (women and children only)
17 West Franklin Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Everyday 10:30AM - 5:30PM

Manna House
435 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Mon-Fri 11:30AM - 3PM

Beans & Bread
402 South Bond Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
Mon-Fri 11AM-1PM

Franciscan Center
101 West 23rd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Mon - Fri 10AM – 1PM

Senior Centers open as cooling centers on Code Red Extreme Heat days, Mon-Fri, 9AM-7PM. Baltimore City Health Department Senior Centers are closed on holidays.

Waxter Center for Senior Citizens
1000 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-396-1324

Oliver Center Senior Center
1700 Gay Street
Baltimore, MD 21213
410-396-3861

Hatton Senior Center
2825 Fait Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-396-9025

Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging
4501 Reistertown Road
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-396-3535

Additional Sites

Cherry Hill Homes
2700 Spelman Road, Baltimore MD, 21215
Monday-Friday
8:30AM-3:30PM

Brooklyn Homes

4140 10th Street

Baltimore, MD 21225

Mon-Fri

8:30AM-3:30PM

ShopRite of Howard Park
4601 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore MD, 21207
Everyday
6:00AM-10:00PM

Zion Lutheran Church,

400 East Lexington Street, 21202, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Additional cooling centers will be opened during extended heat events. Call 311 to confirm the latest cooling center hours and information. Recreation centers may be opened as secondary Cooling Centers ONLY on Severe Code Red Days.

Herring Run Recreation Center
5001 Sinclair Lane, Baltimore, MD 21206
410-746-0831
Mon-Fri 6PM–8:30PM

C.C. Jackson Recreation Center
4910 Park Heights Ave,
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-396-0949
Mon-Fri 6PM-8:30PM, Sat 10:30AM-5:30PM

Virginia S. Baker Recreation Center
2601 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-396-9156
Mon-Fri 6PM-8:30PM

Morrell Park Recreation Center
2651 Tolley Street,
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-396-7221
Mon-Fri 6PM-8:30PM

Coldstream Recreation Center
1401 Fillmore Street,
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-396-6746
Mon-Fri 6PM-8:30PM

Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue,
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-396-8490
Mon-Thurs 6PM-8:30PM, Sat 10:30AM-5:30PM

Edgewood/Lyndhurst Recreation Center
835 Allendale St,
Baltimore, MD 21229
443-984-3105
Mon-Fri 6PM-8:30PM

Residents seeking relief from the heat can also visit their local Pratt Library branch. Bottled water will not be available at these locations.

Baltimore City Health Department, Mayor's Office of Homeless Services, and Housing Authority of Baltimore City Cooling Center sites are closed on holidays. Additional cooling centers may be opened during an extended heat event. Call 311 for the latest cooling center hours and information.