How to prevent a beach umbrella from flying away and becoming a danger at the windy shore
 |
A yellow beach umbrella and lounge chairs are set up on the beach on a clear day on South Beach, Miami. (Getty Images) |
The arrival of summer means people flocking to the beaches in search of a sunny, sandy respite. However, an improperly secured beach umbrella can prove dangerous to yourself and others.
Umbrella injuries send about 3,000 people to the emergency room each year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. So it's important to make sure your summer canopy is intact during your beach trip.
Here's what you can do to keep your umbrella from flying away when the wind kicks up this season.
• Read the instructions. Beach umbrellas vary, so it's important to know what you're working with before you set it up. The tips below should guide you toward staying safe in the sun, but the instruction manual that comes with your umbrella should know your canopy best.
• Make sure you're in the right spot. Start by checking the wind's direction. It might help to note the way nearby flags are flying, according to the Stay Cool Guide. You could also grab a handful of sand and note the direction it blows. Don't choose a spot where the wind will funnel, like between two buildings or sand dunes.
• Stabilize. In your search for the ideal spot, you'll want to avoid slopes, according to My Umbrella Shop's guide. A space close to the water is usually flatter and compacted. Having a bit of moist sand underneath the surface will help your umbrella stabilize.
Once you've got a secure spot in mind, it's best to clear out a square-foot's worth of loose sand, the Stay Cool Guide advises. When you clear out a few inches of loose sand, it should be easier to reach the firmer sand below.
• Now you're ready to plunge. Lodge the pointed end of the umbrella into the center of the area you prepared. Make sure it's deep in the ground. Next, while pressing the umbrella into the ground, rock it forward and backward to tunnel it in the sand. You'll want to try to get the umbrella at least ⅓ of the way down in the sand, NBC's Today show reported.
To make sure your umbrella is steady, build up and compress the sand behind the pole.
Angle the umbrella toward the wind, which will help to push the umbrella into the sand.
• Using an anchor. Some choose to use an anchor to secure their umbrellas. A sand anchor has a corkscrew on the bottom that allows you to drill the umbrella into the ground. Tripsavvy named this sand anchor as the best overall and this one as the best budget buy.
Now you're ready to relax.
But no beach umbrella is invincible. Be sure to watch out for changing wind patterns -- keep checking your AccuWeather mobile app -- that could be dangerous to you and those around you.
Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
