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December 4, 2024

Media Contact:
Chase Cook, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649

Maryland Department of Health urges residents to take precautions to avoid cold-related illnesses throughout the winter months 

Baltimore, MD – As temperatures drop across the state, the Maryland Department of Health urges residents to protect themselves from cold-related illnesses like frostbite and hypothermia.

“Marylanders are urged to take precautions to limit their exposure to cold,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman. “If you must go outside, wear multiple layers. If you need access to a shelter or warming center in your area, please contact your local health department for locations. Also, don’t forget to check on elderly neighbors and relatives who may be more susceptible to cold-related illnesses.”

From November through March, the Department’s Office of Preparedness and Response monitors temperature, weather conditions and incidence of cold-related illnesses and deaths in the state. During the 2023-2024 winter weather season, MDH reported 72 cold-related deaths.

Cold-related illnesses include conditions like hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Frostbite is the freezing and destruction of body tissue that occurs when skin temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Body parts that are most likely to freeze include toes, fingers, ears, cheeks and the tip of the nose.

Follow these safety tips to protect yourself: 

• Cover your head. You lose as much as 50% of your body heat through your head. Also, cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs from direct cold air, as well as your ears and lower part of your face.
• Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. The air between the layers acts as insulation to keep you warmer.
• Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves. The close contact of fingers helps keep your hands warm.
• Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks or two pairs of lightweight socks.
• Wear waterproof boots or sturdy shoes to keep your feet warm and dry.
• Be alert to such common winter hazards as carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and injuries from heat sources. 
• Carbon monoxide is produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, gas furnaces, generators, lanterns and gas ranges or by the burning of charcoal and wood. 
• This colorless, odorless gas can cause severe illness and death. Heating sources can also cause fires, electrical injuries and burns if not correctly installed, operated and maintained.
• Place a CO detector and smoke alarm on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Many local fire departments have programs to help residents obtain and install smoke detectors. 
• Review your family emergency communications plan and emergency supply kits for homes and vehicles. 
• Each family member should know what to do and how to contact others in an emergency. The home emergency supply kit should include unexpired food items, medical supplies and batteries. 
• Vehicles should contain such items as heavy blankets, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, gloves, an extra jacket and a snow shovel. More information on emergency preparedness is available here.
  
  

Residents in need of warming centers 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 warming center locations, hours of operation and available accommodations. 

More resources to help stay safe in cold weather — including cold-related illness surveillance reports, information about how to prevent cold-related illnesses, how to safely heat your home and how to drive safely in winter weather — are available on the Office of Preparedness and Response  Extreme Cold Resources page: health.maryland.gov/preparedness/Pages/Resources_cold.aspx.