American Water Works : Pennsylvania American Water Urges Customers to Keep Safety in Mind Thi...

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (July 16, 2024) - Summer is upon us! With the rising temperatures and longer days, it is essential to take proper safety measures while enjoying the warm weather. Pennsylvania American Water reminds its customers to be mindful of the heat and to take proper precautions when engaging in outdoor activities.

"It's something you hear about all the time - drink water for your health, but many people don't realize how easy it is to become dehydrated on a hot summer day," said Julie Havel, Pennsylvania American Water health and safety director.

Pennsylvania American Water would like to share a few essential safety tips that can keep you and your community safe during these hot summer months:

• Don't let yourself get thirsty - Drink water before you feel thirsty. Thirst is a sign that you may already be slightly dehydrated.

• Hydrate before bed - Your body loses water while you sleep, so try to drink about eight ounces of water before you go to bed and another eight ounces when you wake up.

• Use a refillable water bottle - Single-use plastics are almost never recycled and can take nearly 1,000 years to biodegrade. Carrying a water bottle with you can also serve as a useful reminder to drink throughout the day.

• Don't trespass or swim in a public water supply reservoir - While it may be tempting to cool down by taking a swim in a local body of water, make sure to confirm that it is not located on private property.

• Don't tamper with fire hydrants - Tampering with fire hydrants is a crime and can result in serious fines or prison time. Also, using fire hydrants in a non-emergency situation can make them less reliable during a real emergency.

• Don't just hydrate outdoors - Make sure to not just hydrate while outdoors. Proper hydration needs to always be a priority during the summer, even while inside.

"Keeping safety in mind during the summer is definitely the cool thing to do," added Havel.

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people.

Media Contacts

David Misner

Senior Manager, External Communications

717.262.7525

[e-mail]

Susan Turcmanovich

External Affairs Manager, Northeast PA

570.351.0120

[e-mail]

Gary Lobaugh

Director, Government and External Affairs

724.944.5148

[e-mail]