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The archive will be available at http://archive.phillywatersheds.org for approximately one year (through the end of 2020). If you use or are responsible for content here that is not yet available elsewhere, please contact the PWD Digital Team.
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In Philadelphia, we’re lucky to have more pools and spray grounds per resident than any other city in the U.S.
Because we have all those great, free places to cool off, there’s no reason to open fire hydrants when the weather gets hot or risk swimming in our unpredictable rivers, where drowning is always a risk.
Opening hydrants can cause a number of dangerous situations:
A fire hydrant opened at full pressure can cause serious bodily harm, or even death, should a child, or an adult get pushed into oncoming traffic while playing in front of the hydrant
Illegally opening a hydrant can break the valves and make the hydrant useless when it’s needed most—during a fire on your block
The huge amount of water coming out of hydrants can flood local basements and cause problems with gas and electric lines
Operating hydrants the wrong way can break the water mains that are under your street when not properly turned on or off
If you see a hydrant open on your block, report it right away by calling our emergency hotline at 215 685 6300.
Not a bathing suit person? Head to a local library and cool off while checking out the wide range of free resources the Free Library of Philadelphia provides for residents.
And, as always, take advantage of the clean, top-quality water available from your tap—at less than a half a penny per gallon, it’s the best way to stay hydrated when the temps soar.
So remember: hydrants are for fire, not fun.
For more tips about staying safe in the heat, check out this great guide from the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.
A 1986 video from Philadelphia Water uses an original rap to warn people about the dangers of using fire hydrants to cool off. Credit: Philadelphia Water.
...if you want to play smart, don't let them run! That's the message in this (now hilarious) public service announcement from 1986 featuring a punchy little beat, original rap lyrics, and some, uh, funky dancing and clothes/hair styles to match. Take 30 seconds and treat yourself to this gem from 1980s Philly:
Done laughing yet? OK, now for the serious part: Plenty has changed since we put that out 29 years ago, but the underlying message is still the same. Opening hydrants to cool off decreases water pressure and makes it difficult for firefighters to do their jobs, plus it can damage water mains. The water pressure alone from a hydrant can cause serious injury or even death, especially if there are little kids around.
From a waste perspective, the amount of water used in one hour by an open fire hydrant can be equivalent to a household's water usage for an entire year.
In 2008 alone, taxpayers had to pay $1 million for damage caused by residents who opened hydrant caps. Fire hydrants are used for the sole purpose of fire hazards. Please avoid uncapping them. (If you see an open hydrant and want to report it, we updated the number at the end of the video: 215 685 6300.)
Lucky for us, the city has invested in lots of safe options for cooling off, including spraygrounds, pools and official cooling centers (remember, rivers and creeks are not a safe option). You can find all of the city's hot weather resources by clicking here.
Now, can we hear that hot beat one more time?
H/T to YouTube user Allison Venezio for uploading the original video earlier today, it made our morning!
PS: Know anything about the performers in this video? Shoot us a line at StreetGreening@gmail.com with the subject "Hydrant PSA".
Warning:This is not your typical blog post. This is a warning and a public announcement.
We know it’s hot and kids love playing with water to cool off, but please make sure to leave the fire hydrants alone. Though it sounds exciting to have a sprinkler that gushes water , open hydrants can cause much damage. In fact, in 2008, taxpayers had to pay $1 million for the damage caused by residents who opened the caps. Not only that, the amount of water that bursts can be dangerous to any child that is near the hydrant. Fire hydrants are used for the sole purpose of fire hazards. Please avoid uncapping them.
Remember, there are other safe alternatives to staying cool. Go for a swim at the nearest recreation center, eat a popsicle and drink water. It’s cheaper, safer, and the smarter thing to do.
