Beach Safety offers tips for Fourth of July safety; invites volunteers to help clean the beach July 5
Volusia County’s Beach Safety is expecting big crowds and midday high
tides during the July 4 holiday. Low tide will be about 6:47 a.m. and
high tide will be about 12:54 p.m. on July 4, so beachgoers should plan
to arrive early.
Beachgoers are also advised that opening of the vehicle access ramps on
Thursday, July 5, will be dependent on the cleanup of the anticipated
debris from the July 4 holiday. Unfortunately, typically July 5 is the
worst day for litter cleanup on the beach due to the amount of trash and
fireworks.
The Coastal Division will work to remove all debris from the beach,
focusing first on highly-trafficked areas, after the sea turtle
volunteers patrol the beach and mark the sea turtle nests. Beachgoers
are invited to help clean up the beach the morning of July 5. There is
no official sign up; beachgoers can just show up to clean their favorite
spot with a brash bag or re-usable bucket. Larger groups (15 people or
more) can call 386-239-6414 or email beachsafety@volusia.org to
coordinate their efforts. Bags with trash should be placed inside any
garbage can on the beach or next to it if the can is full.
Fireworks
● Fireworks are prohibited on Volusia County beaches (use and/or
possession).
● Law enforcement officers will confiscate fireworks immediately.
● Fireworks cannot be used on the beach or at beachfront buildings,
such as businesses, hotels, condominiums or homes.
● Fireworks and litter are detrimental to beach wildlife. Fireworks
create an enormous amount of trash that can be ingested by sea life and
very difficult to remove from the beach. The loud noises and bright
lights may also deter sea turtles from using the beaches to nest at
night.
● Fireworks also pose a safety hazard for beachgoers.
Vehicle Access ramps
● Beachgoers should anticipate intermittent or lengthy closures of
the vehicle access ramps at times (possibly one to two hours during high
tide; although some may be able to remain open).
● Beach annual pass holders are encouraged to use one of the four
Pass Holders Express ramps. The ramps are at River Beach Drive in Ormond
Beach, Zelda Boulevard in Daytona Beach, El Portal Street in Daytona
Beach Shores, and Crawford Road in New Smyrna Beach.
● If heading to the beach using primary thoroughfares such as Granada
Boulevard, International Speedway Boulevard, Dunlawton Avenue or 3rd
Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, beachgoers are encouraged to travel north or
south of these locations to access the beach on alternative beach ramps,
which may not be as congested. By finding these less busy ramps, it will
allow for more ease accessing the beach and locating parking.
● For beach maps, visit www.volusia.org/beachdriving.
● Beachgoers are encouraged to consider off-beach parking, which is
available at designated locations from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Bethune
Beach.
Weekend vehicular access ramp openings and closures are also shared on
social media. Beachgoers should follow Volusia County Beaches on
Facebook and Twitter @VolusiaBeach.
Parking/driving on the beach
● Visitors should arrive early as parking fills early.
● All vehicles must drive and park on the east side of the
conservation poles.
● Due to soft sand, south of Granada Boulevard has an area limited to
4-wheel drive only.
● Vehicles should only take one spot.
● Beachgoers should never sit, lie or camp in between vehicles in the
parking areas.
● Parents should always hold children’s hands when crossing the
traffic lane.
● Parents with small children may want to opt for one of the
county’s traffic-free zones.
Beach wheelchairs
For persons needing assistance, beach wheelchairs are available for
use. There is a limited supply, and they are available first come, first
served at no charge. People can check them out from a lifeguard station
and use them for a couple of hours, depending on the waiting list. Beach
wheelchairs are available at the following lifeguard stations:
● Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach
● Dunlawton Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores
● Beach Headquarters, Daytona Beach
● Cardinal Avenue, Ormond Beach
Rip currents/water safety
● Rip current conditions in the open water are always a possibility.
● Always swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower.
● Parents should accompany minor children in the water even if they
know how to swim.
● Check with the lifeguard and the back of the lifeguard tower for
important information about rip current activity and the rip threat
level.
● Alcohol and disposable cups are prohibited on the beach.
Jellyfish
● In case of a jellyfish sting, go to the nearest staffed lifeguard
tower for assistance. Jellyfish stings can be painful and a lifeguard
can rinse the area with vinegar, which is a common treatment. It is
important to not rub the area, which can make it worse. While jellyfish
stings are painful, most are not life threatening.
