First heat-related death of the year brings reminder of safety measures from health officials

by Danielle J. Brown, Maryland Matters
May 29, 2026

State health officials are urging Marylanders to take personal safety measures and check on vulnerable neighbors as temperatures start to rise this summer, following the death of an elderly man in Calvert County due to heat-related illness.

“Our condolences go out to the individual’s family and loved ones,” Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani said in a written statement Thursday.

“As we anticipate more hot days coming our way, we want to remind Marylanders of the steps they can take to guard against overheating, including visiting a local cooling center,” she continued. “Remember to check on those who are particularly vulnerable to heat, including older individuals and people with chronic diseases.”

It was the first fatality of what could be a dangerously hot summer. There have already been 145 visits to emergency rooms or to urgent care facilities for heat-related illnesses since the 2026 heat season started this month, according to state data.

The first heat-related fatality of the year follows a brutal 2025 heat season that resulted in 36 deaths — the most in more than a decade — and almost 1,700 trips to the emergency room. The annual heat season runs roughly from May through September.

That data comes from the new Weather-Related Illness Data Dashboard that the health department launched at the start of the month, which updates on Wednesday each week. The most recent data covers from May 3 through May 23.

The health department said the first heat death was recorded in Calvert County. The victim was only described as a mal in the age range of 70-80 years old, a particularly vulnerable age bracket for heat-related illnesses and deaths.

The department reports that rates for heat-related emergency room visits last year were highest among people aged 65 and older, and 15 of the 36 total heat-related fatalities for the year were people in that age group.

The health department reminds Marylanders to stay safe from rising summer temperatures by drinking plenty of fluids while avoiding alcohol, caffeine and overly sweetened beverages.

Other tips include staying in the shade when possible, wearing light and loose-fitted clothing and scheduling physical activities in the morning or evening when it’s cooler, and taking breaks if needed.

When in the heat, health officials suggest monitoring for symptoms that could signal a heat-related illness like heat exhaustion, heat stroke or heat cramps. Those symptoms include muscle pain, headache, vomiting, extreme weakness, nausea, disorientation and rapid shallow breathing, according to the health department. People noticing theses symptoms should contact a health professional and seek emergency care if needed.

The department emphasizes that children and pets should never be left in a car, as temperature in a vehicle “can climb to more than 100 degrees within 30 minutes,” even on a moderate 70-degree day.

Besides last summer’s 36 heat-related deaths, the state recorded almost 1,674 visits to the emergency room and 1,645 calls to emergency medical services for heat-related illness, both of which were six-year highs.

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: editor@marylandmatters.org.