Maryland Department of Health
Carroll County Health Department

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Extreme Weather and Health in Carroll County

​Extreme cold, extreme heat, and poor air quality can impact your health. People with chronic health conditions, older adults, and young children are often most affected. Stay informed and know what to do to keep yourself and your family healthy and safe.

If you need someplace to go during extreme heat or cold, check our Relief ​Centers page for options.​

​BE PREPARED

County residents should be aware of extreme weather hazardous environmental conditions and be prepared for emergencies.

  • Have a kit with a flashlight, radio, water, food, and extra medicine.
  • Be sure you have enough fuel to warm your home.
  • Check on elderly or disabled neighbors.
  • Make plans on where you will go if you lose heat or power.
  • Include pets in your plans.

Power Outages

If your power goes out, report it to your power company.

Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out. Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers) after 4 hours without power or a cold source like dry ice. Throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Check temperatures of food kept in coolers or your refrigerator with an added cold source. Throw out food above 40° If you have an appliance thermometer in your freezer, check to see if it is still at 40 °F or below. You can safely refreeze or cook thawed frozen food that still contains ice crystals or is at 40 °F or below. 

Emergencies

  • If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
  • If you have a critical need during a community emergency such as a severe storm, call the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 888-5 GET-EOC. The EOC is only open during community emergencies.
  • If you have a critical need that is not a life-threatening emergency, call the Emergency Communications Center at 410-386-2260 for assistance.