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Marylanders Try To Beat The 'Excessive' Heat

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Dangerous heat has Maryland in its grips. The evening brought little relief for people in Baltimore still trying to keep cool. The city's Code Red heat alert will stay in effect all the way through Sunday.

Kai Jackson explains how local leaders are taking action against the heat's danger.

The heat wave is taking its toll on people around the state. In Maryland and here in Baltimore, health experts are working hard to keep a dangerous trend from turning deadly again.

Baltimore continued roasting in a heat wave on Thursday that's gripped much of the nation, making any outdoor activity dangerous.

It's weather so hot people have been rushed to the emergency room, and some cases have been severe.

State health leaders say so far this summer, six people have died in Maryland from heat-related illness.

"More people die from heat-related illness per year than all the other environmental conditions combined," said Dr. Kit Lorentz, St. Joseph Medical Center.

As hot as it is, Thursday may have been an undressed rehearsal for Friday and the rest of the weekend. Accuweather says Friday could be one of the hottest days in the summer in the mid-Atlantic, possibly breaking records.

BGE was warning its customers that heavy energy usage could spark outages or brownouts.

While conservation is a concern, some are forced to battle the heat with no air conditioning, like James Waters and his wife who are elderly and live in West Baltimore.

"We sit out on the porch and cool off in the summertime," James Waters said.

Citizens are asked to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly and those with medical conditions.

Cooling centers are open in Baltimore and so are pools, which cool bodies and tempers.

When asked how it felt to jump into the pool, Mitchum Alexander, of Reisterstown, said: "Oh, it was terrific."

"I think kids need a place to cool off," Emily Romano, of Fells Point.

Because we're going to be in a Code Red heat alert through Sunday, the city will extend pool hours until 7 p.m.

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