New safety standards implemented for deadly beach umbrellas in nj and ny

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.

Jackson McDonald’s Listed for Lease as Future of Longtime Jackson Crossing Location Remains Unclear
Jackson, NJ – One of Jackson Township’s longest-standing fast-food restaurants could be facing an uncertain future after the standalone McDonald’s at Jackson Crossing was listed for lease on a commercial real estate website. A listing on Showcase.com advertises the 3,000-square-foot restaurant building at 1136 East Veterans Highway as available for lease, describing it as a
At Joey Tomato’s, You Can’t Have Your Cake or Eat It, Just Your $42 Boardwalk Pizza Pie, Owner Says
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – You can have your $42 pizza at Joey Tomato’s on the Point Pleasant Boardwalk, but you don’t get to eat your cake. That is the decision coming from the business days after remaining silent about a viral video that has since tanked their reputation. Joey Tomato’s has built a reputation
New Jersey Braces for Another Mini Heat Wave as Heat Advisory Lasts Through Saturday
MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. – Residents across much of New Jersey are facing another stretch of dangerous summer heat after the National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory covering large portions of the state through Saturday evening. The advisory, issued by the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, takes effect at 10 a.m. Thursday and
Can You Legally Shoot a Groundhog Eating Your Garden in New Jersey? Here’s What State Law Says
Toms River, NJ – Few things frustrate home gardeners more than walking outside to find a vegetable garden destroyed overnight by a hungry groundhog. While many New Jersey homeowners wonder whether they can legally shoot a woodchuck that’s eating their crops, the answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Under the New
Jack Ciattarelli Joins Open Road Ventures After Three Campaigns for New Jersey Governor
Toms River, NJ – Former New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has accepted a new private-sector leadership role, joining Open Road Ventures as one of the first members of the company’s newly created Board of Advisors. The announcement comes after Ciattarelli’s three campaigns for governor made him one of New Jersey’s best-known Republican figures. Before

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.