Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg, PIO
O: (443) 984-2623 C: (443) 462-7939
E: michael.schwartzberg@baltimorecity.gov
BALTIMORE, MD (February 10, 2014) — With predicted wind chills in the teens and single digits during the next three days, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot, M.D. has declared a Code Blue in Baltimore for today through Wednesday. These will be the 20th, 21st and 22nd Code Blue days of the season.
“Once again we are seeing wind chill effects this winter that can create dangerous conditions for anyone outside for an extended period of time,” said Dr. Barbot. “We urge individuals to stay indoors in safely heated areas to minimize the risk of hypothermia. If people must go outside in the cold, we urge them to dress warmly and in layers. For those experiencing homelessness, we encourage them to take advantage of shelter resources that are routinely provided.”
Baltimore’s homeless and seniors are among the most vulnerable populations in extreme cold weather. During the Code Blue alert, emergency shelters will operate with overflow capacity and workers will conduct outreach for vulnerable residents.
During the Code Blue, the city’s 311 line will maintain normal hours of 6am to 10 pm to direct customers to the appropriate agencies and to allow customers to report problems or request service. Citizens may also report issues at www.baltimorecity.gov or by calling 410-396-3100 after hours.
Code Blue is a multi-agency coordinated approach to providing vulnerable populations in Baltimore City with relief from extreme cold weather. Code Blue indicates an increased risk for cold injuries or even death for those exposed to low temperatures. The program’s goal is to reduce the number of hypothermia deaths and related illnesses in the City. The greatest risk of illness and deaths due to cold weather is from December to February, with the risk peaking in January, typically the coldest winter month.
There have been four cold-related deaths so far this winter in Baltimore City; three males (all between 45 and 64-years-old) and a woman, older than age 65.
“People also need to remember safety tips for their pets,” Dr. Barbot said. “Dogs and cats should not be left outside for extended times during this cold weather. Wind chill can affect a pet’s life just as it can affect a human’s life.”
During the Code Blue, the Mayor’s Office of Human Services (http://humanservices.baltimorecity.gov/) has requested that all city-funded shelters add more spaces during this weather event and encourages private homeless shelters to extend their hours and keep people indoors.
Cold Weather Tips for Staying Healthy:
- Wear multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing.
- Always wear a head covering, like a hat and/or scarf, when outdoors.
- Keep space heaters and candles away from flammable materials, such as curtains, furniture and loose clothing.
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcoholic beverages.
- Check on those who are elderly and/or chronically ill.
- Provide appropriate shelter for domestic animals.
- Heart patients are advised against physical exertion in colder temperatures.
- Protect yourself against falls in icy or snowy conditions
Based on historical data from Baltimore and data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the vulnerable populations in cold weather situations include:
- Street dwellers and the homeless
- Individuals abusing drugs (heroin/methadone), alcohol, or other substances
- Economically disadvantaged and without home heating
- Elderly persons and young children
- Individuals suffering from pre-existing heart conditions and diabetes
- Individuals with mental health problems
The Health Commissioner may declare a Code Blue alert based on the following criteria:
- When temperatures, including wind chill, are expected to be 13˚F or below. This threshold can be reached by having a temperature at or below 20˚F with 5 mph sustained winds or a temperature at or below 25˚F with 15 mph sustained winds.
- When other conditions (i.e. strong winds, forecasted precipitation for more than two hours, extended period of cold, sudden cold after a warm period) are deemed by the Health Commissioner to be severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life or health of vulnerable Baltimore citizens.
Additional cold-weather resources for the public and a listing of city and private shelters, is available on the Health Department’s Code Blue website at http://www.baltimorehealth.org/codeblueinfo2.html.
In the winter of 2012-2013, there were 10 Code Blue days declared by the Health Commissioner and five deaths in Baltimore City. The prior winter (2011-2012) there were 11 Code Blue days and three hypothermia-related deaths.
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BCHD Situation Update 