Don’t put families lives at risk

Jun 26 2009 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

YOUNGSTERS who finish for their school holidays today are being warned to stay clear of fire hydrants during the summer break and help save lives.

The message comes from a fire chief who stressed the water was vital to fight house blazes and give families the necessary time to get out alive.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Area Commander Frank Waters said: “Hydrant vandalism is a crime. If you see it report it.”

He revealed that CCTV footage was being used to identify those who endanger lives by damaging fire hydrants. Those caught face getting an ASBO, a criminal record and their parents fined £500.

Youths have also been injured by heavy hydrant covers and stones being thrown into the air by a huge blast of water.

Mr Waters added: “The fact is, there are house fires every day and we need water to put fires out. Vandalising hydrants is not harmless fun, it puts lives at risk.

“No one should accept hydrant vandalism, together we can make a difference.”

Jim Hassan, Scottish Water’s regional manager said: “This thoughtless vandalism can cause major inconvenience to our customers.

“It can mean we have to bring in extra resources to combat the problem and this in turn can hamper our ability to tackle any other water-related issue.

“Fire hydrant vandalism can cause road flooding and affect traffic.There is a danger that youngsters setting off high-powered hydrants or passing pedestrians or motorists could be injured or killed.”

He pointed out too that Scottish Water staff are also often prevented from turning off hydrants because they are targeted by vandals at the scene.

Added Mr Hassan: “Dealing with these incidents costs us money and as Scottish Water is funded through customer charges this mean fire hydrant vandalism is costing our customers every time it happens.

”This is community problem and we ask people report this type of vandalism to the police.”

Ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.