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SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ —Following a series of injuries and fatalities linked to beach umbrella accidents, significant safety changes have been introduced at beaches in New Jersey and New York.

These new standards are set to enhance safety for beachgoers nationwide, an effort started by two New Jersey Senators.

Each year, approximately 3,000 people in the U.S. are treated in emergency departments for injuries related to beach umbrellas. Incidents such as the 2018 accident involving Margaret Reynolds, who was impaled by a wind-blown umbrella while sunbathing in Seaside Heights, NJ, have highlighted the dangers posed by unsecured umbrellas. The 2022 death of Tammy Perreault in Myrtle Beach, SC, further underscored the urgent need for safer beach umbrella practices.

In response, U.S. Senators Booker, Menendez, Kaine, and Warner pushed for better protective measures against the dangers of flying beach umbrellas. This advocacy led to the establishment of a committee to develop new safety protocols. Extensive testing by CPSC engineers determined that adding 75 pounds of resistance at the base of a 7 ½ foot umbrella pole could significantly reduce the risk of the umbrella becoming a projectile in winds up to 30 MPH.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) have now introduced ASTM F3681-24 compliant anchors as a mandatory safety requirement. These anchors are designed to ensure umbrellas are securely anchored, capable of withstanding winds up to 30 MPH.

As the summer season approaches, beach authorities are tasked with enforcing these new standards. Non-compliant umbrellas will need to be removed to ensure public safety. This regulatory update aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure a safer beach-going experience for all visitors.