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    Maryland Department of Health
    Newsroom



    ​July 18, 2019

    Media Contact: Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-3536

    State alerts residents to follow safety tips and take precautions to avoid heat-related illness amid excessive heat

    Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is alerting residents of an excessive heat watch forecast today through Sunday evening, July 21 for central Maryland and parts of eastern Maryland. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s and may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some places, with heat index values potentially 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit each afternoon. 
     
    “I urge all Marylanders to take precautions during this excessive heat,” said MDH Secretary Robert R. Neall. “Be mindful of the potential for heat-related illness and take precautions to stay hydrated. Do whatever you can to help keep yourself cool and if necessary, move to a cooling center.”

    Excessive heat can lead to serious health issues. While anyone can be the victim of heat-related illness, the highest risk groups include people under age 5 or over age 65, people with chronic illnesses, people taking certain medications and those who are exercising or working outdoors.

    Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are common health issues associated with excessive heat. Symptoms of heat cramps include:
    ·      Muscle pain/spasms, caused by loss of water and salt from heavy sweating

    Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
    ·      Dehydration
    ·      Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin
    ·      Extreme weakness
    ·      Muscle cramps
    ·      Nausea, headache and possible vomiting or fainting

    Symptoms of heat stroke include:
    ·      Body temperature of more than 105 degrees Fahrenheit
    ·      Dry, red skin
    ·      Rapid, weak pulse
    ·      Rapid, shallow breathing
    ·      Convulsions
    ·      Disorientation
    ·      Delirium
    ·      Coma

    MDH encourages residents to use the following tips to help cope with excessive heat if they must be outside:
    ·      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 to take them by a doctor
    ·      Schedule physical activity in the morning or evening when it’s cooler and take short breaks if necessary

    Never leave children or pets in a car for any amount of time, even with the windows cracked. Residents also are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors or relatives to ensure they have a cool place to stay during excessive heat.

    Residents in need of cooling centers are encouraged to reach out to their local health department or call 2-1-1 and provide their county location and ZIP code to get information about cooling center locations, hours of operation and available accommodations.

    More resources about staying safe excessive heat are available from the MDH Office of Preparedness and Response (OP&R) at: https://preparedness.health.maryland.gov/Pages/resources_hot.aspx

    Updates and additional information may also be found on OP&R’s Facebook page and Twitter page. 

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    The Maryland Department of Health is the state agency that protects Maryland’s public health. We work together to promote and improve the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement. Stay connected: http://www.twitter.com/MDHealthDept and http://www.facebook.com/MarylandDHMH.

    Marylanders in need of treatment for a substance use disorder can locate treatment facilities on our page a visit http://goo.gl/nIfGm0. Individuals can also call 211 and press 1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211 to speak with knowledgeable crisis call specialists. For information on many of the policies currently implemented to fight addiction and overdose in Maryland, see http://goo.gl/KvEzQw.