With summer in full swing and crowds flocking to the beach, beachgoers are reminded to take extra precautions when using beach umbrellas after reports of injuries caused by wind-blown umbrellas.
According to experts, improperly secured umbrellas can become dangerous projectiles in strong coastal winds, leading to serious injuries. Umbrella tips and poles can reach dangerous speeds when picked up by gusts, sometimes over 30 mph, and have caused head injuries and lacerations in past incidents both locally and across the country.
Beach safety teams and first responders in Hampton Roads urge visitors to bury umbrella stakes deep into the sand, tilt them into the wind and use anchor devices such as sand screws or weights. Lifeguards say they often see umbrellas fly down the beach, especially on windy days, putting both beachgoers and rescuers at risk…