ANOTHER HOT & MUGGY WEEKEND

TMC NEWS PHOTOS / BRIAN WOODS

With another HOT & MUGGY weekend ahead of us many people are searching for ways to keep cool. One option is not endorsed by Officials in the Police or Fire Departments – that is by opening hydrants. (PHOTO GALLERY)

Fire Officials say that by opening a hydrant you can decrease the water pressure throughout the neighborhood. You could also, if you open it the wrong way, cause a water main break or damage the hydrant.

If a hydrant is opened the wrong way it causes a “water hammer.” What is a “water hammer” you might ask? Well, if a hydrant is opened or closed too quickly then it can cause a pressure surge or wave resulting when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer commonly occurs when a valve is closed suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, and a pressure wave propagates in the pipe.

So the long and short of it is LEAVE THE HYDRANTS CLOSED! If you want to cool off then grab your neighbors hose and squirt each other or head over to the local Walmart and hang out until the sun sets, their AC is pretty strong.

You can also head over to our friends at Krieg’s Frozen Custard Stand on Route 113, just a bit west of Route 58 on the south side of the street. If you’re real brave you will try a chili dog – the chili is homemade.

WEEKEND WEATHER
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind at 3 and 6 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind between 7 and 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind between 5 and 7 mph.