As we head into the summer’s first extended heatwave, the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and DC Water urge District residents to beat the heat without tampering with fire hydrants.

Unauthorized hydrant use can hamper firefighting, damage the water system and cause injury. It can also flood streets, creating traffic dangers. And it can lower the water pressure for everyone on the block.

“Fire hydrants are for fighting fires,” said DC Water CEO and General Manager George S. Hawkins. “They are critical to each community’s safety and we all should recognize the importance of keeping them operational. Opening a hydrant without the proper tools can damage the system and the hydrant, endangering firefighting efforts.”

District Fire and EMS Fire Chief Gregory Dean added, “Tampering with fire hydrants is extremely dangerous. The force of pressurized water coming out of a hydrant can easily knock a person down. And just as importantly, it puts the public’s safety at risk. If the water from the hydrants is wasted it can lower the water pressure thereby hindering our ability to fight fires.”

When the temperature or heat index reaches 95, residents are encouraged to take extra precautions against the heat. If they do not live in an air-conditioned building, they may take refuge at a District swimming pool, cooling center, recreation facility, senior center or other air-conditioned building. More information, and locations, can be found at dc.gov or by calling 311.

Residents and visitors in the District can keep cool by staying in shade or air conditioning and drinking plenty of water. In recent years, fountains and splash parks have shot up around the city, including those at the following locations.

-Petworth Spray Park
-The fountain in the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza located at 14th and Park Road, NW
-Canal Park in the Navy Yard
-Georgetown Waterfront Park

In the event of a life-threatening heat emergency, please call 911 for medical assistance. Tampering with a District hydrant is a crime, subject to a $100 fine. To report unauthorized use of fire hydrants, please call the DC Water Command Center at 202-612-3400.