Maryland sees 11 heat-related deaths so far this summer

Maryland has seen deaths linked to the heat since the start of May according to input from the state s Department of Wellbeing Of those nine were among people aged years and older We consistently want to be careful to protect our older citizens because people who are older tend to have more anatomical problems that make them more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and death Dr Clifford S Mitchell director of the Environmental Wellbeing Bureau at the Maryland Department of Healthcare narrated WTOP We are particularly concerned obviously about people who are living alone or without air conditioning in circumstances where they could be at hazard he reported While very young children and older adults tend to be majority of vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat Mitchell stated Everybody is at peril from the heat He mentioned that young and healthy people who either work outdoors or are involved in athletic events can suffer in high temperatures Related stories Toddler dead in Montgomery Co after being left alone in hot car Hundreds went to crisis rooms died in Md from heat-related illness in June heat wave Rising summer heat increases pitfall of child deaths in hot cars More young people in ERs for heat When we look at ER visits for heat-related illnesses those are literally highest in younger folks Montgomery County s Soundness Officer Dr Kisha Davis notified WTOP referring to material that revealed the highest number of urgency department and urgent care visits for heat-related illnesses among people from to years old Both Mitchell and Davis warned against the danger of leaving anyone especially young children and infants alone in a standing car for any length of time A large number of people think that s only an issue on the hottest days of summer But Mitchell disclosed The truth is it doesn t have to be that hot outside for the inside of the car to get really hot The first heat-related death of the season occurred when a -year-old girl was left in a hot car for several hours in Montgomery County on May Davis reported it s key for people to recognize the signs of both heat exhaustion and heat stroke With heat exhaustion you ll see fatigue irritability somebody might be thirsty Davis stated and they may be nauseous dizzy and experience light-headedness They may also suffer from muscle cramps and rapid breathing In that development Davis declared they should be moved out of the heat promptly and offered water to rehydrate Actions should be taken to cool their body temperature In cases of heat stroke signs will include confusion slurred speech and a lack of coordination Davis noted That really is a clinical urgency You want to be calling and getting them to a facility where they can receive emergency services right away she explained Mitchell advised people to check on their loved ones especially older relatives to see that they re keeping themselves hydrated and have access to air-conditioned spaces In the event of small children he repeated they should not be left alone in cars for any length of time on warm days And unfailingly make sure that when you are outside take plenty of breaks drink lots of fluids and stay cool he reported Source