Heat-Related Deaths Highest In Prince George's County So Far In 2024

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Marylanders are catching a break in the extreme heat that's blanketed the state the past couple of days. But the excessive heat this summer has taken its toll in Prince George's in particular.

The highest number of heat-related deaths so far in 2024 are concentrated in Prince George's County.

As of July 11, four heat-related deaths had been recorded in Prince George's, according to the Maryland Department of Health. The first such death of the year also was reported in Prince George's in early June, a 59-year-old man. The last two of the four heat-related deaths in Prince George's for 2024 happened within the last two weeks, data shows.

“As we experience more hot days in Maryland this summer, this tragedy reminds us to take the necessary steps to avoid overheating. Also, be sure to check on family, friends and neighbors who may be particularly vulnerable to heat, including young children, senior citizens and people with chronic diseases," said Maryland Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Nilesh Kalyanaraman.

Warning signs that you could be suffering from a heat-related illness, include heat exhaustion, heat stroke or heat cramps. Officials remind residents to never leave children or pets in a car during hot weather, even with cracked windows. Always check twice to make sure that children or pets are not in a vehicle—on an 80-degree day, within one-half hour, the temperature inside the vehicle can climb to well over 100 degrees.

All outdoor programming was canceled July 9-10 due to extreme heat, officials announced. The Wonderful World of Watkins Amusement Complex closed early. Athletic fields closed but indoor facilities remained open and indoor programming continued as scheduled. All cooling centers and indoor and outdoor pools stayed open and operated under regular scheduled hours, county officials said.

The Prince George’s County Office of Homeland Security/Office of Emergency Management reminds residents to take the following precautions to avoid heat related illnesses.

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, even if you do not feel thirsty. A recommended amount of one and a half a quart of fluid will suffice in the avoidance of fluid deficiency. Avoid drinks with alcohol, sugar and caffeine. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
• Limit outdoor activities during excessive heat. If you must be out during the hottest part of the day, be sure to wear light weight and light-colored clothing and a hat to minimize the potential for heat exhaustion.
• Never leave children, older adults or pets alone in closed vehicles. Temperatures in parked cars can reach an estimate of 130 degrees within minutes, resulting in brain damage or death.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone. More specifically, older adults, families with young children, people with special needs or individuals living alone to ensure their safety and hydration.
• Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.
• Register for Alert Prince George’s to receive emergency information, via your mobile or landline phones, including severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service and emergency information from the Prince George’s County Office of Homeland Security/Office of Emergency Management.
• Go to a designated cooling center if your home loses power during periods of extreme heat. Stay on the lowest floor and out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.

Cooling Centers

• Vansville Community Center 6813 Ammendale Road Beltsville, MD 20705
• Langley Park Community Center 1500 Merrimac Drive, Hyattsville, MD 20783
• Rolllingcrest-Chillum Community Center 6120 Sargent Rd, Chillum, MD 20782
• Huntington Community Center 13022 8th St. Unit B, Bowie, MD 20720
• Kentland Community Center 2413 Pinebrook Avenue, Landover, MD 20785
• Berwyn Heights Community Center 6200 Pontiac St, Berwyn Heights, MD 20740
• Largo/Kettering/ Perrywood Community Center 431 Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
• Cedar Heights Community Center 1200 Glen Willow Drive, Seat Pleasant, MD 20743
• Glenarden Community Center 8615 McLain Ave, Glenarden, MD 20706
• Temple Hills Community Center 5300 Temple Hill Rd, Temple Hills, MD 20748
• Suitland Community Center 5600 Regency Lane, Forestville, MD 20747
• Southern Regional Technology and Recreational Center 7007 Bock Road Fort Washington, MD 20744
• Harmony Hall Recreation Center 10701 Livingston Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744
• Hillcrest Heights Community Center 2300 Oxon Run Dr. Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748
• John C Howard Community Center 4400 Shell Street Capitol Heights, MD 20743
• Oakcrest Community Center 1300 Capitol Heights Blvd, District Heights, MD 20747
• Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex 13601 Missouri Avenue, Brandywine, MD 20613
• Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex 8001 Sheriff Rd Landover, MD 20785
• Tucker Road Ice Rink 1770 Tucker Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744
• Camp Springs Senior Activity Center 6420 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20748
• Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center 7120 Contee Road, Laurel, MD 20707
• John E Howard Senior Activity Center 4400 Shell Street, Capitol Heights, MD 20743

Outdoor Aquatic Facilities:

• Allentown Splash Park: 7210 Allentown Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744
• Ellen Linson Splash Park: 5211 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740
• Glenn Dale Splash Park: 1901 Glenn Dale Boulevard, Glenn Dale, MD 20769
• Hamilton Splash Park: 3901 Hamilton Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781
• J. Franklyn Bourne Pool: 6500 Calmos Street, Seat Pleasant, MD 20743
• Lane Manor Splash Park: 7601 West Park Drive, Hyattsville, MD 20783
• North Barnaby Splash Park: 5000 Wheeler Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Indoor Aquatic Facilities (hours vary by location):

• Allentown Splash Park: 7210 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744
• Fairland Sports & Aquatics Complex: 13820 Old Gunpowder Rd, Laurel, MD 20707
• Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex: 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785
• Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool: 6122 Sargent Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782
• Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex: 13601 Missouri Avenue, Brandywine, MD 20613
• Theresa Banks Memorial Aquatic Center: 8615 McLain Avenue, Glenarden, MD 20706