seaside heights, new jersey – Following a series of injuries and deaths linked to beach umbrella accidents, major safety changes have been implemented at beaches in New Jersey and New York.
These new standards are set to enhance safety for beachgoers across the country, and the effort was launched by New Jersey's two senators.
Each year, approximately 3,000 people in the United States are treated in emergency departments for beach umbrella-related injuries. Incidents such as Margaret Reynolds, who was impaled by a windblown umbrella while sunbathing in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, in 2018 have highlighted the dangers posed by unsecured umbrellas. The death of Tammy Perrault in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2022 further highlights the urgent need for safer beach umbrella use.
In response, U.S. Sens. Booker, Menendez, Kaine, and Warner urged better protection against the dangers of flying beach umbrellas. This advocacy led to the creation of a committee to develop new safety protocols. After extensive testing by CPSC engineers, we found that adding 75 pounds of resistance to the base of a seven-and-a-half-foot umbrella pole can significantly reduce the risk of the umbrella flying off in winds up to 30 miles per hour. Did.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) have introduced ASTM F3681-24 compliant anchors as a mandatory safety requirement. These anchors are designed to keep your umbrella firmly in place and can withstand winds of up to 30 miles per hour.
As summer approaches, beach management officials are tasked with enforcing these new standards. To ensure public safety, non-compliant umbrellas must be removed. This regulatory update is intended to prevent future tragedies and ensure a safer beach travel experience for all visitors.
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