MD Cold-Related Death Was First Reported Of 2021–2022 Season

BALTIMORE, MD — The first Marylander to die this season as a result of cold weather was a middle-aged man, the Maryland Department of Health reported Tuesday.

The man passed away as the result of cold-related illness in Baltimore City, officials said. He was in the "50 to 60 age range," state health officials said.

There were 57 cold-related deaths during the 2020–2021 winter season in Maryland, which is considered November to March, officials said.

"As temperatures continue to drop across the state, Marylanders are urged to take every precaution possible to prevent cold-related illnesses,” Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Jinlene Chan said in a statement.

Two major dangers during the cold weather are hypothermia and frostbite.

To prevent them during extreme cold, health officials encourage people to cover their toes, fingers, ears, cheeks and the tip of the nose; layer lightweight, loose-fitting clothing; and wear waterproof boots or sturdy shoes.

"We also remind everyone to check on neighbors and relatives during very cold weather — especially the elderly," Chan said. "Older adults are particularly susceptible to hypothermia, which occurs when the body’s temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit."

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.

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.

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.

To find a warming shelter in Maryland, call 211.

Boaters Advised To Dress For Water Not Weather

The Coast Guard also encourages people to prepare for colder water temperatures if they are going boating. They should dress for the water, not the weather, officials advise.

Hypothermia can occur in temperatures at or below 70 degrees, according to officials from the Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region.

About 20 percent of people who fall into cold water die in the first minute due to cold-water shock, which causes an involuntary gasp and loss of breath control, officials say.

During the winter, the mid-Atlantic is about 53 degrees Fahrenheit, which authorities say can result in loss of consciousness in an hour.

If water temperatures are 70 degrees or below, officials advise wearing a wetsuit, drysuit, float coat or waterproof, insulated gear. Boaters should always wear life jackets.