Maryland 2025—The Maryland Department of Health is urging Marylanders to take precautions to prevent overheating this summer and to know how to recognize and treat heat-related illnesses. Maryland’s first health-related death of the year further emphasizes the importance of resources and preparedness in the warmest months.
“Making sure you know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, as well as how to stay cool, can help you protect your family, friends, and neighbors this summer,” said Maryland Secretary of Health Dr. Meena Seshamani. “Remember to check on those who are particularly vulnerable to heat, including young children, senior citizens, and people with chronic diseases - and confirm that they have the resources they need to stay safe during the hottest months.”
Marylanders are advised to never leave children in a car. Always check twice to ensure that a vehicle is empty. Even on a 70-degree day, within half an hour, the temperature inside the vehicle can climb to over 100 degrees.
The Maryland Department of Health encourages the following to help cope with extreme heat:
- 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 by a doctor to take them
- Schedule physical activity in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler, and take breaks if necessary
Warning signs that you could be suffering from a heat-related illness like heat exhaustion, heat stroke or heat cramps include: muscle pain or spasms, headache, vomiting, extreme weakness, nausea, disorientation and rapid, shallow breathing. If you are experiencing a heat-related illness, be sure to contact a doctor or seek emergency medical care depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Marylanders can find resources on the Office of Preparedness and Response Extreme Heat webpage, which includes information about heat-related illnesses and tips for staying safe and healthy during hot weather. Downloadable fact sheets are available in English and eight other languages.
Residents in need of a cooling center are encouraged to contact their local health department or call 2-1-1 and provide their county location and ZIP code to get information about locations, hours of operation and available accommodations.
The Department monitors temperature conditions and incidents of heat-related illness and death from May through September. Extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because some places are hotter than others, this depends on what’s considered average for a particular location at that time of year. Humid and muggy conditions can make it seem hotter than it is.
During the 2024 extreme heat season, Maryland had 26 heat-related deaths.
