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Omaha hydrant parties help families cool off as dangerous heat settles into the metro
Omaha Fire Department shares ways to stay cool during the summer heat wave.
OMAHA, Neb. —
As temperatures reached triple digits Wednesday, Omaha families found a fun way to beat the heat while learning the importance of staying safe in extreme weather.
The Omaha Fire Department partnered with the city of Omaha Parks and Recreation, Metropolitan Utilities District and Omaha Firefighters Local 385 to host one of several hydrant parties held throughout the city during the summer. The free events give children a chance to cool off by running through water sprayed from a fire hydrant while enjoying popsicles and time outdoors.
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For Omaha resident Diana Ivey, the hydrant parties have become a family tradition.
“It’s a free activity, and the kids enjoy it,” Ivey said. “It gives them a way to cool down without being stuck inside.”
Fire officials said the events are also an opportunity to remind families about heat safety as temperatures continue to rise. They encourage people to stay hydrated, spend time in the shade or air conditioning, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day and check on neighbors who may be more vulnerable to the heat. They also remind drivers to never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.
Hydrant parties are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout June and July at locations across Omaha. Schedules and additional heat safety information are available on the Omaha Fire Department’s website.
