Umbrella Danger (a Cranky rant)
Start of rant:
I have long
been a beach umbrella nut. Beach
umbrellas are dangerous.
Why am I a beach umbrella nut? Why are they dangerous?
Most beach
umbrellas have a very pointy aluminum end used to stick the umbrella in the
sand.
Sand is very
loose. Aluminum does not stick to
sand. It is windy by the ocean. The beach is by the ocean. Umbrellas tend to catch the wind. When an umbrella catches the wind the pointy
aluminum end pulls out of the loose sand and flies down the beach which is
generally as crowded as those seal beaches on an Animal Planet TV special.
Flying
pointed aluminum shaft on a crowded beach…see the problem?
I have seen
this event several times and no one was hurt.
It was laughed off as a joke, or a scary thrill. People could not even fathom how it could
happen.
In the last week, two people on east coast beaches have been skewered by flying pointy aluminum shafts. They were seriously hurt, but fortunately not killed.
In the last week, two people on east coast beaches have been skewered by flying pointy aluminum shafts. They were seriously hurt, but fortunately not killed.
Comments at
the end of news reports on these accidents tended to make a joke about the
problem. You know, those stupid comments
at the end of almost every news story these days.
“I guess we need
government beach umbrella control legislation!”
“Just one more stupid
thing to be afraid of!”
“This would not have
happened if Hillary won.”
Truth is,
there should be either legislation, or people should be made legally
responsible for there umbrellas. If people
thought there was any chance at all of losing your beach house, your shirt, or
both, perhaps they would be more responsible for their beach umbrellas.
Two things
that would eliminate beach umbrella skewering.
1. They sell beach umbrella anchors that
hold umbrellas in the sand against almost any wind. Cheap plastic anchors cost about $3 and they
work very well. For $15 you can buy anchors
that will not break. Buy and use them!
 |
| Cheap anchors |
 |
| Even Better |
2. If you are leaving your spot on the
sand for what ever reason or for anytime at all, close the damn umbrella!
3. Post signs at the beach reminding
people that umbrellas can be dangerous, people are legally responsible for the
pointy end of their umbrella, and the steps 1 and 2 from above that will make everyone’s
beach experience safe.
End of rant.
Are you trying to tell these clods to take personal responsibility? You can't be serious. You just can't. Someone else is at fault if someone gets hurt. The world is going wacko and quickly.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and mind your beach umbrella. ☺
A well-deserved rant! I agree with you 100 %.
ReplyDeleteYou could just avoid the beach.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! We used to use anchors.
ReplyDeleteWhy not dump the middle man, we need a law that says the umbrellas have to have an integrated anchor rather than the pokey spear end ....
ReplyDeleteI saw the headline about a lady being impaled by a beach umbrella in NEW JERSEY! I can't believe I didn't click on it and read it. But I DID think of you! I've never heard of those umbrella anchors. Another good idea that I wish I had invented.
ReplyDeleteJack hates the sun and sand and beaches..well, hate is a bit strong. He burns and that makes him stay away from beaches whenever possible. However, if he hears about this new danger he will use it to forever stay away from those places. Me? I like to live on the edge and would take my chances of getting skewered for a tan. Seriously, I would. Crazy, I know.
ReplyDeleteI've never understood the point of going to the beach and sitting under an umbrella. If you don't like the sun, go somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteThere is the ocean too, but I'm guessing you don't go to the beach, or for sure you are not Irish.
DeleteI don't see many umbrellas on beaches here. Perhaps Aussies don't mind being burnt to a crisp every time they go to the beach. I have, in the past, seen a few being anchored by means of a cork-screw type attachment as you've pictured here, also with a heavy plastic weight which surrounds the umbrella stem.
ReplyDeleteI never used an umbrella on the beach. My aim was always to get a tan. Mind you, it is many years since I saw a beach let alone sat on one and in those bygone days umbrellas weren't used unless it rained.
ReplyDeleteI have had an umbrella take off even with an anchor (expensive kind, too). I rarely bother with the umbrella anymore and, sadly, I find myself going to the beach less and less even though I only three miles away from it all the time I am in Florida.
ReplyDeleteI was going to suggest you invent some kind of anchor but I see it has been done. I don't remember many umbrellas during my beach days--we went for the tan and now I must content myself with hopelessly ruined skin.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there were anchors for beach umbrellas!!
ReplyDeleteThe thought of being skewered by a pointy aluminum pole makes me shudder!
ReplyDelete