Housing Boom Exceeds Reach of Fire Hydrants
Posted on | August 24, 2007 |
Nearly a fourth of U.S. families live in extended suburban or rural locations with no hydrants, according to USA Today. Why? It costs a lot to extend basic infrastructure to the many growing housing developments in these communities.
Why is a fire hydrant important? The fire department does carry water on a few of its trucks but depending on the strength of the blaze, this amount of water might not be enough. That’s when the firefighters turn to the hydrants and tap into the city’s water supply.
Also, according to the USA Today article, closer proximity to hydrants and fire stations means lower insurance rates:
“In Lexington, Ky., for example, the owner of a $100,000 home in the city limits pays about $400 a year, but the rate is $1,200-$1,500 a year on the outskirts of the county, says Donna Pile, president of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents.”
So it pays to know where those hydrants are located. Call your fire department and ask about hydrant location. Also, if you’d like a hydrant installed near your home, call your city administration.
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