Monsoon safety tips and reminders
June 15 through Sept. 30 is the official Arizona monsoon — a time when we can expect high temperatures, dust storms and heavy moisture. The following tips are provided to help keep you safe:
- During a heat advisory, drink plenty of fluids and avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day. You should NEVER leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
- Thunderstorms and heavy winds can damage property and power lines. Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
- Visit Monsoons, Thunderstorms, Haboobs and Lightning for tips to reduce monsoon damage to your trees.
- In case of power outages, contact your utility company (SRP 602-236-8811 or APS 1-855-OUTAGES).
- For those caught outdoors during a storm, find shelter, or go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles or metal objects.
- Get out of swimming pools, boats and away from all water.
- If you approach a storm of any kind while driving, reduce speed and turn on your headlights.
- In a thunderstorm, pull safely onto the shoulder, stay in the car and turn on the emergency flashers.
- In a dust storm, if you cannot see more than 300 feet, it is time to get off the road. If traveling on a freeway, exit at an exit ramp and find a safe place to stop. If no exit ramp is near, pull completely off the roadway. Turn off driving lights and all vehicle lights, including emergency flashers. Set your emergency brake and keep your foot off the brake pedal. Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
- Always obey traffic warning signs and avoid flooded roadways.
- Designated cooling centers—including libraries, community centers and local community partners—offer air-conditioned spaces, free bottled water and resources for those seeking shelter from the heat. Find locations at Heat Relief.
Save water and skip the seed
Start planning now to skip your winter grass this fall. If you skip overseeding, your grass will naturally be golden for just a few months. You’ll save on the costs of installation and maintenance and thousands of gallons of water. Ten reasons to skip the seed:
- Save water
- Save money
- Save time
- Help air quality
- Decrease noise pollution
- Preserve water quality
- Set an example
- Save frustration
- Give your Bermuda grass a break
- Save landfill space
Without a focus on overseeding for winter grass, fall is the perfect time to spruce up your other landscaped areas with low-water-use plants. Or, to save even more water, replace your grass with xeriscape (a low-water-use landscape). You may even qualify for a City of Chandler rebate. Learn more at Overseeding.
Be a responsible pet owner
Pets can be a rewarding addition to any family, but they come with responsibilities. Abiding by leash laws and cleaning up animal waste are important, as well as making sure that pets don’t disturb the peace by barking or howling at inappropriate times.
Enforcement of most laws and ordinances involving pets is the responsibility of Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. They can be reached at 602-506-PETS (7387).
- All dogs over three months must wear a collar displaying a current license.
- Maricopa County’s leash law prohibits you from allowing your dog to run at large outside your property at any time. When you take your dog outside of its confined area, it must be restrained on a leash that is no longer than six feet in length.
- The law requires that animals be provided with the basic needs of life, including food and water. All animals must receive food on a daily basis; and the food must be free from contamination and offered in a quality and quantity sufficient to maintain its good health.
- Barking dogs can present a problem. Visit Barking Dog for suggestions on steps to take, or call the Barking Dog Hotline at 480-782-BARK (2275).
- Animals must have access to clean, drinkable water in a container that can’t be tipped over or spilled.
- Maricopa County law requires that pet owners provide their animal with proper medical care. This means that if your pet is injured, sick or infested with parasites, you are responsible for getting adequate veterinary attention.
- There are no leash or license laws for cats. This means the city doesn’t have as many options to control them as they do other animals. Chandler residents can now work directly with Saving One Life to help address the overpopulation of community cats. Contact them at 480-602-6022, and find more information at Neighborhood Support Program.
For more information visit pets.maricopa.gov or call 602-506-PETS (7387).
Household hazardous waste — what you need to know
Hazardous products are in our kitchen, bathrooms, closets, garages and sheds.
What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)? Some of the more common HHW products found in homes are:
Cleaning aids
- furniture polishes and stains
- drain and toilet bowl cleaners
- bleach
- oven cleaners
Household maintenance
- paint
- lacquers and paint thinners
- rechargeable batteries
Automotive products
- antifreeze
- motor oil
- gasoline
- windshield wiper solution
Outdoor products
- pesticides
- herbicides
- pool chemicals
How can I reduce household hazardous waste around my home? The best way to reduce waste is to avoid creating it in the first place. Purchase the amount needed and use the product up entirely. Consider natural alternatives if available for your needs. This reduces risk and can often be a less expensive option.
What if I have leftover product? Appropriate disposal or reuse is recommended such as:
- Share leftovers with others
- roducts such as motor oil, rechargeable batteries and CFL bulbs are accepted by some local retailers
- Schedule an appointment at Chandler’s Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Center.
Why do I have to schedule an appointment? Scheduled appointments are required to ensure safety of the public and staff who must handle HHW.
It will only take you about five minutes to drop off items and we will have you on your way. Our specially trained staff will sort HHW for recycling and safe disposal.
To schedule an appointment to drop off household hazardous waste or to ask questions, call 480-782-3510.
Materials generated from a business are not accepted.
- The city’s Annual Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report for 2025 is available at Water Quality. It contains valuable information about the source and quality of your drinking water.
- The Recycling-Solid Waste Collection Center (RSWCC) observes summer hours from the Thursday after Memorial Day (May 28) through the Sunday before Labor Day (Sept. 6).
RSWCC Summer Hours
Thursday - Monday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and city-observed holidays.
Recycling and trash are collected on all holidays except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Contact Us
Communications & Public Affairs | 480-782-2228
Mayor & Council | 480-782-2200
Accessibility
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this publication can be made available in an alternative format.
Archive
July 2025 | August 2025 | September 2025 | October 2025 | November 2025 | December 2025 | January 2026 | February 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026