Frederick Health

Frederick County is currently experiencing an air quality alert🚨

Please be advised of multi-day air quality event expected Thursday and Friday, potentially lingering into Saturday, due to thick wildfire smoke and extreme heat driving up ozone levels.

See the below post from the Maryland Department of Emergency Management- MDEM for more details and tips on staying safe.

⚠️ AIR QUALITY ALERT UPDATE ⚠️

A multi-day air quality event is expected Thursday and Friday, potentially lingering into Saturday, due to thick wildfire smoke and extreme heat driving up ozone levels.

Here is what you need to know for the next few days:

THURSDAY: A wave of wildfire smoke is pushing into central Maryland, bringing Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) conditions along the I-95 corridor. The highest concentrations will be in northeast MD. High heat and aged smoke will also cause ozone levels to reach the High Moderate to USG range.

FRIDAY: A weak cold front will usher in a significant amount of smoke that will persist all day, trapped by weak winds. Statewide Unhealthy (Code Red) AQI is forecast for fine particulates (PM2.5).

SATURDAY: Precipitation chances increase, which should help mitigate ozone levels, bringing them down to the Good/Moderate threshold. However, uncertainties remain if rain will fully wash out the fine particles.

How to Protect Yourself:

✔️Limit or avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
✔️Keep doors and windows closed.
✔️Run your AC on the "recirculate" setting.
✔️Vulnerable groups (children, older adults, and those with respiratory/heart conditions) should take extra precautions.

Check your current, hyper-local air quality before stepping out by visiting AirNow: https://www.airnow.gov/, or the Maryland Department of the Environment website: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/AirQualityMonitoring/Pages/index.aspx

Stay cool and stay safe, everyone! 🌡️🌳

Our Pediatrics team had a great time hosting the Teddy Bear Clinic at Centro Hispano de Frederick! 🧸💙

Children learned about healthcare by giving teddy bears playful check-ups, helping make healthcare feel fun, familiar, and less intimidating. These hands-on experiences can help children feel more comfortable and confident when it's time for their own visits.

We're so grateful for opportunities to connect with families and support the health and well-being of our community.

Pregnant and living in Frederick County? You are invited to attend a FREE Essential Newborn & Postpartum Care Workshop, hosted in collaboration with Family Connects Frederick County.

Our July 7 and July 13 sessions are officially full, but you can still reserve a space on July 21 or July 29. Sign up today to learn about care topics, including:

· Diapering, bathing, and feeding tips
· Safe sleep practices
· Postpartum recovery
· Car seat safety basics

Whether you are delivering at Frederick Health or a hospital outside the county, we invite you to take advantage of this free resource.

Reserve your spot today: frederickhealth.org/PrenatalWorkshop