First Cold-Weather Death In Maryland Recorded For 2019–2020

BALTIMORE, MD — Officials said a man who died Wednesday was the first person in Maryland to die from a cold-related illness during the 2019-2020 season. He was not identified other than as a 45 to 64-year-old man who died in Baltimore, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

"As temperatures continue to drop, Marylanders are urged to take every precaution to help prevent cold-related illnesses," Deputy Secretary for Public Health Fran Phillips said in a statement.

State health officials said the death occurred Wednesday, Dec. 11. There was a coating of snow on the ground when many Baltimoreans awoke Wednesday morning, and forecasters predict temps will drop below freezing from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 10 a.m. Thursday.

"Take care to limit your exposure to the cold," Phillips said. "Wear layers if you go outside and contact your local health department if you need access to a warming center in your area."

For cold-related service requests or to find a nearby homeless shelter, call 211.

The state health department considers November through March to be the winter season. During that time, it monitors cold-related illnesses and deaths, reporting on them weekly.

In 2018, the first cold-weather death of the season was in late November in Garrett County.

There were 54 cold-related deaths in Maryland during the 2018-2019 winter reporting period overall, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Of those, 11 were individuals believed to be homeless, and four others may have been homeless, but officials said they could not be sure.

Two major dangers during the cold weather are hypothermia and frostbite. To prevent them, health officials advise covering toes, fingers, ears, cheeks and the tip of the nose during extreme cold; layering lightweight, loose-fitting clothing; and wearing waterproof boots or sturdy shoes.

Hypothermia: What It Is, What To Do

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature falls more quickly than it can rise and dips below 95 degrees, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Extreme cold is especially dangerous for the very young, senior citizens, those without shelter or those live in a home that is poorly insulated and/or without heat.

Because hypothermia can affect the brain, a person may not be aware that it is happening, and not take appropriate steps to prevent damage.

Warning Signs:

• Shivering, exhaustion
• Confusion, fumbling hands
• Memory loss, slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• For infants – bright red, cold skin, very low energy

What to do:

• If you notice any of the signs above, take the person's temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, the situation is an emergency – get medical attention immediately.
• If the person is unconscious and does not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing, call 911.

Prior to medical care:

• Get victim into a warm room or shelter.
• Remove any wet clothing.
• Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head and groin – using electric blanket if available, or use skin-to-skin-contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels or sheets.
• Warm, nonalcoholic, beverages can help increase body temperatures if the victim is conscious.

Frostbite: What It Is, What To Do

Frostbite happens when the body is exposed to cold and causes freezing of the skin and tissues underneath it.

Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas, typically the nose, ears, cheeks, fingers or toes. Signs of frostbite include redness or pain in any skin area; a white or grayish-yellow skin area; skin that feels unusually firm or waxy; and numbness.

What to do:

• Get into a warm area as soon as possible.
• Immerse the affected area in warm, but not hot, water.
• Warm the affected area using body heat.
• Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming.
• Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes if at all possible.
• Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it in any fashion.