How to Prevent Hydrant Tampering
On hot summer days, the temptation to open a fire hydrant to provide a cooling spray is overwhelming. But tampering with fire hydrants is a serious legal offense, punishable with fines and potential imprisonment. It can create a local fire hazard by dropping the pressure in the lines so that, when a fire truck hooks up to the hydrant, no water is available to pump through to the fire. Protecting fire hydrants, then, is a civic duty. There are some simple things you can do to prevent fire hydrant tampering in your neighborhood.
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Instructions
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Educate your neighbors about the dangers and consequences of tampering with fire hydrants, particularly teenagers and children. They may not be aware of the trouble they can cause by opening a hydrant illegally.
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Clear the space around your local fire hydrants of all obstructions, such as snow, landscaping or fences. A clear line of sight to the hydrant discourages any potential miscreants who do not want to be seen in the act.
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Keep an eye on the hydrants in your neighborhood and report any suspicious activity or open hydrants at once to emergency services by calling 911. Even if the hydrant is open and no one is around, fire officials can come quickly to close the hydrant and prevent drops in water pressure.
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Attend your local government meetings and ask about the feasibility of putting hydrant locks on your fire hydrants. They are expensive pieces of equipment ($385 in 2010), but prevent private citizens from opening the hydrants.
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References
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