Heat-related Deaths to be Posted on DHMH Website

Reports on emergency department visits and heat-related fatalities will be available each day at 4 p.m. this week

BALTIMORE, MD (July 3, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) will be posting daily Heat Reports to its Extreme Heat website during the current weather emergency.  DHMH monitors emergency department visits and other data to assess the health impact of the weather emergency. For tips and reports on heat, click on Extreme Heat under Hot Topics at www.dhmh.maryland.gov.

The recent heat wave has contributed to the first 2012 heat-related deaths in Maryland, as announced yesterday by DHMH.  Today’s Heat Report provides data on four confirmed heat-related deaths in MD.  High temperatures are expected to continue this week.

Marylanders in need of a cooling center should visit the state’s Cooling Center link at www.maryland.gov.

In 2011, there were 34 confirmed heat-related deaths, in 2010, there were 32; in 2009, six heat related deaths; in 2008, 17; and in 2007, 21.

For additional weather emergency-related information and inquiries, contact the on-duty Public Information Officer at the State’s Emergency Operations Center at 410-517-3600 or log on to www.mema.state.md.us. Follow the Operations Center on Twitter at @mdmema.