State health officials reported the first official heat-related death of the season, a girl under age 4 who was left in a hot car last month.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said the victim was a female under age 4 who was left in a car in Baltimore City in June. The state does not identify heat victims, but police reported June 22 that they charged a 31-year-old Northeast Baltimore man in the death of his 2-year-old daughter, who was left strapped in her car seat for 16 hour as temperatures outside reached 89 degrees.
The man said he'd been drinking and thought he'd brought the girl home.
The case led city health officials to issue a warning for parents not to leave children in the car for any length of time. About 650 children have died nationwide since 1998 after being left in a vehicle in hot weather, they said.
Last year there were a total of eight confirmed heat-related deaths during the summer around Maryland, down from 17 the year before, state health officials reported. They said those in need of cooling centers should contact their local health department and those needing energy assistance should call 2-1-1.
But the state officials also emphasized that children are most at risk.
"It's vitally important that parents always check their back seats and never leave children alone in a hot car," said Dr. Howard Haft, deputy secretary for public health, in a statement. "Don't leave children alone in any car at any time. Even a warm day can turn a closed car into a deadly oven in a very short time."
More information on preparedness can be found on the state health department website.