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Oct. 28, 2009
Shelley Szafraniec
Community Information Specialist

Change of time brings reminders to change batteries and irrigation systems

The change of time Sunday, Nov. 1, is a good time for residents to remember to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and the timers on their irrigation systems to adhere to the county’s watering ordinance.

According to fire officials, smoke alarms can save lives if they are functioning properly, but studies show that most smoke alarms don’t work because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries.

“Most people die in fires because of the toxic smoke - not the flames,” said Kathy Weaver, deputy chief for Volusia County Fire Services. “Carbon monoxide ‘suffocates’ the body, preventing it from receiving oxygen. Most people die before the fire even gets to them.”

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 890 lives could be saved each year if all homes had working smoke alarms. The overall United States death rate per 100 reported fires is twice as high in homes without working smoke alarms compared to home fires with working smoke alarms.

“It is clear that smoke alarms can and do save lives,” said Weaver. “We encourage residents to use the time change as a time to remember to make sure their smoke alarms are working properly and have fresh batteries.”

Volusia County Fire Services and city fire agencies offer free smoke alarms and even installation assistance to residents. Residents are encouraged to contact their local fire department for smoke alarm information. For more information about fire prevention, please call (386) 736-5940 or visit www.volusia.org/fireservices.

The time change also is a reminder to change the timers on irrigation systems to adhere to the county’s watering ordinance, which is the same as the St. Johns River Water Management District.

“This time of year, due to the cooler temperatures and less sunlight, the grass and plants grow more slowly and need less water,” said Steve Kintner, a water conservation coordinator with Volusia County. “Residents should change their timers on their electronic systems and pay attention to the watering days and times allowed for their property.”

Beginning Nov. 1, homes with odd-numbered or no addresses can water Saturday only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Homes with even-numbered addresses can water Sunday only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Businesses can water Tuesday only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.

The watering hours are being enforced strictly. Fines are $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second violation in five years, $250 for the third violation, and $500 for the fourth and subsequent violations.

The additional watering guidance remains the same, and is as follows:

• New plantings may be watered any time for 30 days, then every other day for another 30 days.
• Hand watering is allowed any time with an automatic shutoff on the hose.
• Watering in of chemicals is allowed any time within 24 hours of application and may not exceed a quarter-inch of water.
• All automatic landscape irrigation systems, regardless of the date of installation, must be equipped with functional rain-sensing devices or soil-moisture sensors.

To learn more about Volusia County’s efforts to conserve water or for more information about the watering restrictions, please visit www.volusia.org/water.

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