BALTIMORE (WBFF) — City officials on Thursday announced the start of Baltimore’s “Code Red Extreme Heat” season, a multi-agency effort aimed at protecting residents from dangerous summer temperatures.
The program, which runs from May 15 through Sept. 15, coordinates resources across city agencies to provide cooling centers, public information, and emergency support during periods of extreme heat.
A Code Red alert will be issued when the heat index is forecasted to reach 105 degrees or higher, according to the Baltimore City Health Department.
“Extreme heat can be life-threatening, and we want to make sure all of our residents have what they need to stay safe this summer,” said Mayor Brandon Scott, via press release. “We’re especially focused on our most vulnerable residents, including older adults, young people, pregnant women, those experiencing homelessness, folks working outdoors, and those with underlying health conditions. As we move into Code Red Extreme Heat season, I encourage residents to check out the cooling centers and other resources we have available, and check on neighbors, friends, and loved ones.”
Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, and Baltimore saw 14 Code Red days and eight heat-related deaths during the 2025 heat season.
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Residents can find information about alerts through the Health Department’swebsite, Health Department social media (Instagram: @BaltimoreHealth and Facebook: @BaltimoreHealth), the Baltimore City 311 line, and right here at Fox45 News.
“Heat-related illness is preventable, but it requires awareness and action,” said Dr. Michelle Taylor, Health Commissioner, via press release. “We encourage residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak hours, and check on family members, neighbors and older adults. Public health is a shared responsibility, and small actions can save lives.”
The Baltimore City Health Department recommends that residents:
- Drink plenty of water, even if you are not thirsty
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Reduce outside activities
- Stay inside during the hottest time of day (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Seek relief in air-conditioned locations
- Check on older adults or sick people in your community who may need help in the heat
Watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Seek medical help immediately if these symptoms occur:
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Light-headedness
- High body temperature with cool and clammy skin
- Hot, dry, flushed skin
- Rapid or slowed heartbeat
- To keep infants and children safe:
- Never leave your child alone in the car – even for a few minutes. A car can heat up quickly and become very dangerous.
- Do not cover strollers with blankets. Even light covers can trap heat and make it too hot for your baby.
Make sure your baby sleeps safe:
- Babies can get too hot while sleeping, especially in summer. Getting too hot can raise the risk of sleep-related infant death.
- Babies should sleep:
- Alone (not in bed with you or anyone else)
- On their back
- In a crib or bassinet with nothing else in into pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals
- In a smoke-free space (no cigarettes, marijuana, or vaping near your baby)
- Always leave your baby’s head uncovered during sleep. Hats or hoods can cause overheating.
- Dress your baby in light sleep clothes. A good rule of thumb: dress in the same number of layers you’d wear to sleep.
- Don’t wear blankets or thick sleepwear. If you’re worried about your baby getting cold, you can use a lightweight sleep sack instead of a blanket.
- Keep the room cool and let in fresh air if you can. A fan can help move air around the room—just don’t point it directly at your baby.
- If your baby wakes up hot and fussy, try using a cool, damp washcloth to gently wipe them down, which can help them cool off and settle back to sleep.
To keep pets safe:
- Never leave your pets in a parked car. To keep them safe, leave them at home. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly. Even on a 70-degree day, the inside of a car can rise to a deadly 110 degrees.
- Provide ample shade and water. Anytime your pet is outside, make sure they have protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water.
- Limit exercise on hot days to early morning or evening hours. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on grass if possible.
- Watch for signs of heatstroke. Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Signs include heavy panting, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, vomiting, unable to get up, and a deep red or purple tongue. If you believe your pet is suffering from heatstroke, take him or her to a veterinarian immediately.
If you don’t have air conditioning:
- Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, or awnings.
- Considering making temporary window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to place between windows and drapes.
- With temperatures starting to climb, consider readying your household for summer by purchasing a window air conditioner and insulation.
- Take a cool bath and stay hydrated when temperatures increase indoors.
“Baltimore continues to experience increasingly extreme temperatures, and we all have a role to play in preparing for and responding to dangerous heat conditions to keep our communities safe,” said Joey Henderson, Director of the Office of Emergency Management, via press release. “We’re working across agencies to deliver coordinated, comprehensive resources for residents this summer.”
To register for BMORE Alerts, residents can text BMOREALERT to 888777 or visit Register for BMORE Alerts.
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