As temperatures neared century-old records for the second consecutive day, health officials Tuesday reported surges in heat-related illnesses and even deaths.
Three people have died from heat-related illnesses since this past weekend and nine have died since last month ? the second-hottest June on record ? according to the state?s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. On Sunday, a 60-year-old man died in Carroll County and a 73-year-old man died in Prince George?s County. A 54-year-old man died in Calvert County Friday, department spokesman Jon Hammond said.
Temperatures Tuesday at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport reached 99 degrees with a heat index of 104. The record for Tuesday?s date at the airport was 102 degrees, set in 1887.
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of checking on your elderly relatives, friends and neighbors,” Maryland Health Secretary Anthony McCann said. “You never know when they may be in distress.”
Baltimore City officials opened 10 air-conditioned cooling centers and distributed cold water and ice, as senior centers in Carroll, Harford, Howard and Baltimore counties doubled as refuges for the general public. Howard County officials encouraged residents to cool off in libraries.
At Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Baltimore County, spokesman Michael Schwartzberg said two people, including a sanitation worker, were treated Tuesday for heat-related illnesses. Dr. Scott Brannan at St. Joseph Medical Center said the emergency room treated several people for dehydration Tuesday morning.
Brannan said the elderly, children and people doing physical activity outside are most at risk.
“Avoid long periods in the heat, drink plenty of fluids and stay in air conditioning,” Brannan said.
Baltimore Gas & Electric customers neared the company?s all-time usage record set around this time last year, spokeswoman Linda Foy said. The company activated its energy saver program for about three hours Tuesday, Foy said.
Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said this weekend that the team would likely decrease their pre-game hitting and stretch inside.
“I drink a lot of Gatorade during the game and try to go inside between innings to remain cool before having to put all of the equipment back on again,” catcher Javy Lopez said Sunday.
Before this weekend, Harford, Montgomery, Prince George?s, Somerset and Worcester counties and Baltimore City each recorded one heat-related death since June.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
» Headache
» Dizziness, weakness
» Nausea and vomiting
» Cool, moist skin
» Dark urine
Symptoms of heat stroke
» Fever (temperature above 104 degrees)
» Irrational behavior
» Extreme confusion
» Dry, hot and red skin
» Rapid, shallow breathing
» Rapid, weak pulse
» Seizures
» Unconsciousness
Source: National Institutes of Health
Examiner Staff Writer Ron Snyder contributed to this report.
