Cold has already claimed 4 lives in Md.
Four Marylanders have died already this autumn under circumstances in which cold weather has played a role.
The state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said Thursday the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled that hypothermia - low body temperature - was a contributing factor in the deaths of a Baltimore woman on Nov. 21; a Montgomery County man a week later; an Anne 
Arundel County man on Nov. 30, and a Baltimore County woman on Dec. 4.
There was no information on the other circumstances surrounding these deaths. But in past years, health authorities have said that most deaths involving hypothermia also involve such factors as advanced age, alcohol consumption, cardiovascular disease and dementia.
These four deaths were the first, but more are sure to follow. Last year the state counted 54 deaths involving hypothermia.
"Just a little preparation and common sense will keep you and your family safe and warm during the days and nights of sub-freezing temperatures this winter," said Maryland Health Secretary John M. Colmers. "We can save lives in severe weather by keeping our eyes open and checking our friends and neighbors, especially seniors.
Deaths from hypothermia do not require extremely low, or even freezing temperatures, only exposure to the cold, even indoors due to inadequate, failed or unused heating systems. The days on which these four Marylanders died were not particularly cold for this time of year. Here are the highs and lows at BWI for each of the deaths.
Nov. 21: High 58 Low 39
Nov. 28: High 50 Low 34
Nov. 30: High 58 Low 38
Dec. 4: High 48 Low 34
The average highs for these dates are in the low 50s; the average lows are in the low 30s.
This weekend promises the coldest weather so far this season, with a low of 19 degrees forecast for Friday night into Saturday morning.
(SUN PHOTO/Kenneth K. Lam 1994)
Comments
Are you ... kidding? Stupid claimed 4 lives, not cold - it's not even cold yet. If they were a little smarter (or not retarded) they would know to use 2 layers of cardboard.
FR: Very compassionate observation. As it happens, two were drowning victims. And, as the story notes, it doesn't have to be especially cold for some vulnerable people to become hypothermic and die. Some day, if you're lucky, you, too, may grow old.
Posted by: know1tall | December 10, 2009 12:37 PM
Frank…wow…you must've been desperate for something to blog about today. Dixon used the gift cards they were going to use to buy blankets…LOL
Posted by: Eve Redman | December 10, 2009 2:44 PM
Frank - was this even worth responding to or allowing this post? Seems the deep freeze has already settled in the valley where this person's heart should have been.
FR: Probably not. I thought about hitting "delete." But sometimes I rubberneck at accident scenes, too.
Posted by: Dave R | December 10, 2009 3:34 PM
Homeless people or people experiencing poverty suffer from a number of severe illnesses, illnesses that many people are ignorant to. People of sound mind and body can be quick to assume that every life in this world is comparable to theirs. Dying from exposure to cold weather on the streets is a major problem in this city and should not be tolerated. Referring to the homeless as "stupid" or "retarded" is extremely inhuman and incompetent. People experiencing homelessness or poverty should be referred to as friends and neighbors and nothing less.
FR: Well said. Thank you. It's also instructive to note that few of the cold-related deaths in Maryland are among the homeless. I wrote last year about an elderly woman, living in a $400,000 house in Wiltondale, who had become something of a recluse. She never let concerned neighbors into her house. Her heating system broke down, and she died in her basement from hypothermia. As the story above says, we have an obligation as neighbors, friends or family - indeed, as human beings - to check on the more vulnerable among us, and to help where needed.
Posted by: John Lane | December 11, 2009 8:00 AM