There is perhaps no better way to spend a summer afternoon than on the beach, under the shade of an umbrella. But a gust of wind can turn fun in the sun into a nightmare for an unfortunate few ...
A few years ago, I wrote a story for HGTV Magazine about the dangers of not properly securing a beach umbrella in the sand, which can act like a missile in the wind, resulting in serious injuries ...
A 10-year-old ordinance bars wind-driven shade devices on the beach during peak summer months. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, only circular umbrellas up to 7 1/2 feet in diameter are permitted.