Some residents across Bridgeport are opening fire hydrants to keep cool in the oppressive heat, but firefighters say that can be a safety hazard.

Assistant Chief Christopher Martin at Engine 15 says he wants residents to know how dangerous illegal open hydrants can be. ?When you have water flowing out of illegal hydrants, when you do need the water to go to a fire, our water pressure is down,? Martin says.

He reminds residents that the fire department can supply sprinkler caps to provide cooling fun for kids in neighborhoods.

The Office of Emergency Management's Web site says that a free-flowing hydrant can waste as much as a million gallons of drinking water a day.