BALTIMORE (AP) — Four more people have died heat-related deaths in Maryland, bringing the total number of heat-related deaths in recent days to eight including a man in Wicomico County.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported the number Thursday. Three of the newly-reported heat-related deaths occurred in Baltimore City. Two of them were men over the age of 65. The third was a man between the ages of 45 and 64.
The fourth heat-related death happened in Montgomery County and was reported to be a man over the age of 65.
The report did not say when the men died or describe the circumstances of their death.
The state health department reported the first heat-related deaths of the year this week. A total of 34 people died last year in Maryland of heat-related causes.
Delmarva Power is urging customers to conserve electricity with the heat wave in full swing and temperatures expected to top 100 degrees.
The company experienced power outages during last week’s storms and there are still some without power with new pockets of outages being reported.
Delmarva Power recommendations range from keeping thermostats at 78 degrees and keeping winds and outside doors to ensuring that ducts are not blocked by furniture or other obstacles.
Signs of heat Exhaustion range from heavy seating and weakness to nausea and trouble breathing.
Heat stroke is accompanied by high body temperature, rapid and strong pulse, and possible confusion. Also look for hot, red, dry or moist skin.
There are cooling centers around Delmarva.
In Sussex County, residents can go to the three libraries for some relief in Bethany Beach, Milton and Greenwood as well as the County Administration building in Georgetown.
County Administration Building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown, DE
South Coastal Library, 43 Kent Ave., Bethany Beach, DE
Milton Library, 121 Union Street, Milton, DE
Greenwood Library, 100 Mill Street, Greenwood, DE
In Wicomico County the Youth and Civic Center will be open through Sunday. In addition, the MAC Senior Center on Snow Hill Road will be open on Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm for people 50 years and older needing relief from the heat. Bring snacks and any medications. Shore Transit is providing transportation to and from the center at 443-260-2300.
In Worcester County all five branch libraries will be open for relief with the Snow Hill and Pocomoke branches closing at 5 pm.
Pocomoke Library, 301 Market Street, Pocomoke, MD
Snow Hill Library, 307 No. Washington Street
In Ocean City, Berlin and Ocean Pines will branches will close at 6 pm.
Ocean City Library, 10003 Coastal Highway
Berlin Library, 220 No. Main Street
Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Road
On Saturday, they will be open from 9 am to 5 pm.
In Somerset County the Princess Anne and Crisfield libraries will be open a cooling stations.
Princess Anne Library, 11767 Beechwood St., Princess Anne, MD
Crisfield Library, 4 E Main St. Crisfield, MD.
There are also burn bans for Wicomico and Somerset Counties with a statewide burn ban in Delaware.
