BALTIMORE — A 65-year-old Anne Arundel County woman has died, marking Maryland's first heat related death of 2019.
The Maryland Department of Health says they monitor temperature conditions and incidents of heat related illness and deaths from May through September.
“This tragic event reminds us about the dangers associated with hot weather, which can raise the body’s temperature, increasing the potential for heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Fran Phillips. “Marylanders are urged to take every precaution to avoid overheating and to stay hydrated — if necessary, move to a cooling center.”
Some counties including Anne Arundel have opened cooling centers through July 7 as temperatures continue to rise.
The Health Department says the following tips could help to cope with the hot weather;
· Drink plenty of fluids
· Avoid alcohol, caffeine and overly-sweetened beverages
· Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing
· Avoid direct sunlight and wear sunscreen; stay in the shade when possible
· Avoid salt tablets, unless advised by a doctor to take them
· Take it easy outside: schedule physical activity in the morning or evening, when it’s cooler, and take short breaks if necessary
Residents should also never leave children or pets in a car for any amount of time during hot weather, even with the windows cracked. Community members should also check on elderly neighbors or relatives to ensure they have a cool place to stay.
Anyone in need of a cooling center should reach out to their local health department or call 2-1-1 and provide their location and zip code to find the closes open location.
