Fire Hydrants

“Some people change their ways when they see the light; others when they feel the heat”-Caroline Schoeder

In New York it's hot, hot, hot. We are breaking heat records with 100 F days so it comes as no suprise that people are looking for relief. The following news item was sent out by New York City:

Opening fire hydrants without spray caps is illegal, wasteful and dangerous. Illegally opened hydrants can lower water pressure, which can put lives at risk at hospitals and hinder fire-fighting by reducing the flow of water to hoses and pumps. The powerful force of an open hydrant without a spray cap can push children into oncoming traffic. New Yorkers should call 311 to report open hydrants.

Hydrants can be opened legally if equipped with a City-approved spray cap [pictured above]. One illegally opened hydrant wastes up to 1,000 gallons of water per minute, while a hydrant with a spray cap only puts out around 25 gallons per minute. Spray caps can be obtained by someone 18 or over, free of charge at local firehouses.

Bottom Line

Pundits are calling NYC the "Baked" apple. To escape the heat NYC opens up public cooling centers, such as Department for the Aging (DFTA) senior centers and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Salvation Army community centers where air conditioning is available. To find the cooling center closest to you, call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115) or log on to www.nyc.gov/oem.