Hazardous beach umbrellas
Along with many others on a sunny Sunday I went to the beach at Repulse Bay to enjoy the sun with my three children.
I took my parasol from home, but decided against using it as I couldn't secure it deep enough into the sand to prevent it from blowing away. However, hundreds of much larger umbrellas were being rented out to the public and whenever there was a gust of wind, one would be blown out of the sand and be sent hurtling down the beach into the sea.
As I was leaving, three in total succumbed to the wind and caused panic as children fled in every direction to avoid being impaled by the spike as the brolly twisted and turned on its journey. Many adults were shaken as they grabbed their undone bikinis to get out of the way.
Imagine if you didn't hear one blowing towards you because you were listening to your walkman, or if you were a toddler and couldn't anticipate which way to run.
Certainly when the three came at once everyone was screaming.
I do think that it is necessary for people to be able to use the umbrellas as we all appreciate the importance of avoiding too much exposure to the sun. My suggestion is to put the responsibility of these potentially dangerous umbrellas back to the people who rent them out.
Would it be too much trouble for them to go with you to your spot on the beach and secure the pole with a hammer for you to make sure it won't be blown into someone's back? CAROLYN LEE Pokfulam