Top ten reasons not to open a fire hydrant to beat the heat:

1. Opened hydrants release huge amounts of treated drinking water. More than 1,800 gallons per minute can spew from an open hydrant.
2. Opening a hydrant use can cause reductions in water pressure in other sections of the water system. Using hydrants as public sprinklers can jeopardize people and property if there isn't enough pressure when needed to fight a fire.
3. Attempting to force open a hydrant can damage the hydrant. If firefighters need to use a hydrant damaged that has been damaged, they can lose precious time. Every second counts when trying to save property and lives.
4. Hydrant use can cause discolored water to customers in surrounding areas.
5. The force and volume of water coming from an open fire hydrant can undermine streets, sidewalks, and private property and rack up some serious repair costs.
6. Open hydrants can create traffic nightmares when oncoming vehicles try to navigate flooded streets.
7. The raw force of water gushing from an open hydrant can cause serious injury to a person who hasn't been trained in the proper method to safely open a hydrant. Caps on the hydrant can cannonball into the body of someone standing nearby.
8. Small children playing in hydrant flow can be seriously injured by the force of the water stream from a hydrant. Flow from an open hydrant can easily knock a large adult to the ground.
9. Fire hydrants are installed to fight fires -- not to be used for recreation.
10. Unauthorized use of a fire hydrant is against the law and punishable by fines! In fact, if you see anyone attempting to break open a fire hydrant -- call 911 and report it.