Stealing Water From A Fire Hydrant Is A Crime

Did you know that stealing water from a fire hydrant is a crime? Well, it is.

Of particular concern to fire departments is the potential for collateral damage that can occur to the fire hydrant as a result of this illegal act. Damage that could negatively impact our firefighters ability to get enough water to fight a fire.

Yesterday, MCFRS Fire Chief Scott Goldstein along with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) Police Chief Harvey Baker and Deputy Fire Chief Jim McClelland from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department joined together to raise awareness about water theft and highlight the potential public safety consequences as a result.

Below, please find a video from the press event originally broadcast live on our Periscope and Facebook pages. As well, some photos from the event.

You can also learn more from WSSC on how you can help: WSSC Kicks Off Water Theft Prevention Program

Precautions To Prevent Water Pipes From Freezing

With forecast lows hitting our area over the next few days, there is the

potential of many water pipes freezing and bursting. Please review the below tips to help minimize the possibility or damage.

• Shut off outside hose facets and drain 
• Purchase a cover for the outside hose faucet - they are cheap and very effective 
• Locate the main water shut off for your home so that if a pipe bursts, you can shut off the water thus stopping the leak and minimizing damage
• Open cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms to let heat in and around the plumbing.  Especially important if some of these pipes run up against outside walls.
• Keep any garage doors closed if there are water pipes or supply lines in the garage.  If attached to home, consider opening the door to the garage to allow home heat to enter the garage.  While your heating bill may take a hit, the cost will not compare to costly repairs from water damage
• DO NOT use kerosene or other fuel fed heating devices in the garage to heat it
• Let water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe (even at a dribble) can help prevent pipes from freezing
• DO NOT use a blow torch or any other open flame to try and thaw out potentially frozen pipes!
• Keep the thermostat set to no lower than 55° F during the evening hours or if you will be leaving the home for an extended period of time (day or night)

Precautions To Prevent Water Pipes From Freezing

Looks like another round of forecasted freezing lows hitting our area over the next several days. Again, we expect the potential of many water pipes freezing and bursting. Please review the below tips to help minimize the possibility or damage.

• Shut off outside hose facets and drain 
• Purchase a cover for the outside hose faucet - they are cheap and very effective 
• Locate the main water shut off for your home so that if a pipe bursts, you can shut off the water thus stopping the leak and minimizing damage
• Open cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms to let heat in and around the plumbing.  Especially important if some of these pipes run up against outside walls.
• Keep any garage doors closed if there are water pipes or supply lines in the garage.  If attached to home, consider opening the door to the garage to allow home heat to enter the garage.  While your heating bill may take a hit, the cost will not compare to costly repairs from water damage
• DO NOT use kerosene or other fuel fed heating devices in the garage to heat it
• Let water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe (even at a dribble) can help prevent pipes from freezing
• DO NOT use a blow torch or any other open flame to try and thaw out potentially frozen pipes!
• Keep the thermostat set to no lower than 55° F during the evening hours or if you will be leaving the home for an extended period of time (day or night)

Precautions To Prevent Water Pipes From Freezing

With forecasted record lows hitting our area over the next several days, we expect the potential of many water pipes freezing and bursting. Please review the below tips to help minimize the possibility or damage.

• Shut off outside hose facets and drain 
• Purchase a cover for the outside hose faucet - they are cheap and very effective 
• Locate the main water shut off for your home so that if a pipe bursts, you can shut off the water thus stopping the leak and minimizing damage
• Open cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms to let heat in and around the plumbing.  Especially important if some of these pipes run up against outside walls.
• Keep any garage doors closed if there are water pipes or supply lines in the garage.  If attached to home, consider opening the door to the garage to allow home heat to enter the garage.  While your heating bill may take a hit, the cost will not compare to costly repairs from water damage
• DO NOT use kerosene or other fuel fed heating devices in the garage to heat it
• Let water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe (even at a dribble) can help prevent pipes from freezing
• DO NOT use a blow torch or any other open flame to try and thaw out potentially frozen pipes!
• Keep the thermostat set to no lower than 55° F during the evening hours or if you will be leaving the home for an extended period of time (day or night)

Latest Update on Conditions

* All Montgomery County Recreation facilities are closed today except for the Upper County Neighborhood, Germantown, East County Neighborhood and Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Centers and the Germantown Indoor and Olney Swim Centers. All other Montgomery County Recreation sites are closed, including the main administrative office.
* All Montgomery County Recreation summer camps, summer fun centers and Recreation summer classes are cancelled for today

* Montgomery College Rockville campus will be closed today. Takoma Park and Germantown campuses will be open.

* All activities in Montgomery County Public School buildings are canceled on Monday, July 26, due to widespread power outages. This includes all academic programs, summer camps, recreation programs and summer meals.

* Montgomery County’s Permitting Services will be closed to the public (255 Rockville Pike facility).

* About 187,000 Pepco customers in Montgomery County remain without power.

* 270 County traffic signals remain without power.

* Don't travel if you don't need to.

* Treat all dark intersections as four-way stops. Proceed cautiously.

* A shelter is open at the East County Recreation Center located at 3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring.

* Mandatory water restrictions remain in effect for all Montgomery County and Prince Georges County residents on public water systems until water supplies are recharged. This includes Rockville residents. Residents on private wells are unaffected by the mandatory water restrictions.

* Residents and businesses are urged to use water only for essential indoor uses so sufficient water will be available for hospitals, emergency services and fire fighting.

* The County’s 311 call center has been activated and is available for non-emergency calls.

* To report “hot” wires or sparking wires, especially those across roadways, call 9-1-1.

* Residents can report downed trees in the public right-of-way by calling 3-1-1 from within Montgomery County or 240-777-0311 from outside the County.

* Residents are urged to check on their neighbors, particularly seniors or those with special needs.

* Pepco has indicated this will be a "multi-day restoration."

Check www.montgomerycountymd.gov for updated information on Montgomery County facilities, services, and programs.

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