'A fun way to cool off': New Yorkers can ask FDNY to open hydrants during the summer
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- As a heat wave bakes New York City, what can be more iconic than opening up a fire hydrant on a hot day?
How about you get FNDY to open the hydrant and place a spray cap so everyone on the block can cool off from the hot sun? That's right. You can legally open the fire hydrant, instantly gushing cool water on the block. All you have to do is ask.
"Fire hydrant spray caps are a fun way to cool off in the heat, but it's not safe to open the hydrant on your own," read a post on FDNY's official Instagram." If the fire hydrant near your home doesn't have a spray cap, you can ask for one at a nearby firehouse. Attempting to open hydrant valves on your own reduces the availability of water. It lowers water pressure, complicating firefighting efforts and putting the safety of New Yorkers and emergency personnel at risk."
New Yorkers can request that local firehouses have a hydrant fitted with a spray cap and opened for recreational use.
What You Need
The individual requesting the spray cap must be over 18, show an ID, and fill out a form.
Where is my local firehouse
To find a firehouse location, go here.
After the request is made, the firehouse will schedule a time to turn the hydrant on and off. Times are typically between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.