Heat Wave Continues: Warnings Intensify After 5th Fatality

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A fifth heat-related death has been reported in Maryland. And the state health department urges everyone to be careful.

Linh Bui has the details.

We are halfway through this heat wave. It was another brutal day outside. The pool--just one way to cool off.

Another scorcher outside.

"It's hot, it's humid. It's actually miserable to be outside too long," a neighbor said.

It's hot. It's pretty wild," a young man said.

This calls for an icy snack to cool off.

"In July, it's just crazy. It's been a knockout. It's so busy," a Summer Shack employee said.

It's been busy at the Summer Shack in Towson. They've been serving up to 700 sno-balls a day. It's a great way to stay hydrated.

But it's even better to stay inside. The heat has proven to be deadly.

So far this summer, five people have died in Maryland from a heat-related illness.

"It's really hot out there. So a lot of people are coming in with heat-related illnesses. Especially the young and the old and those with underlying medical conditions," said Matthew Smith, Sinai Hospital.

At Sinai Hospital, there's been an increase in heat-related cases this week.

That's what brought in Evonee Wyche. Her baby got sick after spending one hour outside.

"We was just getting on the bus, I was taking her to the clinic, but she got overheated real bad. She was sweating terrible. It was a mess out," Wyche said.

Recognize the symptoms of heat stroke: Hot, flushed skin. A lack of sweating. Feeling lethargic.

"I can't overstate the importance of heat-related illnesses. They can be lethal," Smith said.

Even though it's brutal outside, many families are making the most of it, beating the heat any way they can.

And good news for everyone having fun at the pool. Hours have been extended in Baltimore, so city pools will all stay open later.

Emergency cooling centers are open in Baltimore if you need a place with air conditioning and water.