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 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 American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) have now introduced the ASTM F3681-24 compliant anchors as a voluntary 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.
- New Jersey lawsuit filed against U.S. Department of Education over loan forgiveness eligibilityLawsuit filed against U.S. Department of Education over loan forgiveness eligibility Trenton, NJ – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and 21 other attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education regarding its eligibility restrictions for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The PSLF program allows federal student loans to be forgiven after a decade of public service. The lawsuit challenges a recent federal rule that determines certain state governments or nonprofit organizations as ineligible employers for PSLF based on a vague standard involving “substantial illegal” activities. The coalition asserts that this broad interpretation unfairly targets specific states and organizations associated with ideologies disfavored by the administration. Platkin criticized the new rule, claiming it represents an illegal attack on public servants who contribute significantly to their communities. The PSLF program, established in 2007, incentivizes individuals to work in public service fields, enabling over one million public servants to pursue careers that otherwise may not have been financially viable. On October 31, the Department of Education finalized a rule allowing it to declare organizations ineligible for PSLF if the administration identifies them as having a substantial illegal purpose. The definition of illegality includes activities connected to immigration support, political protests, and gender-affirming healthcare, with the rule set to take effect in July 2026. The coalition argues this vague authority could result in many public workers losing PSLF eligibility. Such changes would lead to staffing shortages and increased turnover in crucial public service jobs. The lawsuit asserts that the new rule is unlawful and contravenes existing PSLF regulations, which guarantee forgiveness for those in qualifying public service roles. The attorneys general seek a court ruling declaring the rule invalid and halting its implementation. Joining Platkin in this legal action are the attorneys general of New York, Massachusetts, California, and Colorado, along with others from across the country. A group of local governments and private plaintiffs is also filing a separate lawsuit to challenge the new rule.
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