BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health on Tuesday announced the state’s first three cold-related deaths for the 2024-2025 winter season. All three individuals were men, two in their 60s and one in his 30s. Two deaths occurred in Baltimore City, while the third was in Baltimore County. The first death was reported on November 23, with the other two occurring on December 2.

To combat the risk of cold-related illnesses, the MDH advises Marylanders to minimize exposure to extreme cold by limiting time outdoors and dressing in layers of lightweight, insulated clothing. Particular attention should be given to insulating the toes, fingers, ears, cheeks, and nose.

The MDH also reminds residents to exercise caution when using alternative heat sources. Improper installation, operation, or maintenance of heating equipment can lead to fires, electrical injuries, burns, or carbon monoxide poisoning. Before using any heat source, ensure its safety, install carbon monoxide detectors, and never use ovens as a heat source indoors.

Marylanders seeking warming centers or overnight shelters can contact their local health department (PDF) or dial 2-1-1 and provide their county and ZIP code for information on available resources.

For additional cold weather safety information, including cold-related illness surveillance reports, prevention tips, safe heating practices, and winter driving safety, visit the Office of Preparedness and Response’s Extreme Cold website.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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