By Chris Munzing
The beaches, which have been as barren as a wind-swept Nevada desert, were packed with people. The weekend resembled a prison breakout -- everyone who could get outside did. The boardwalk teemed with runners, walkers, cyclists and vendors, to the delight of kids and adults alike.
"Where else would you want to be this time of year?" said City Councilman Lenny Remo, who took to the beach Sunday afternoon.
People swam and surfers surfed in what had long been an empty ocean. The sand was filled with people aching to get a tan without going to a salon and paying for it, and the lifeguards finally had people to protect.
The frowns that have been on faces everywhere turned into smiles as residents reveled in the weather. "I'm very happy that I can now relax in the sun," said Meghan Murphy, a beach visitor from Oceanside. "I'm happier because I can hang out with my friends now. People are happier in the summer."
Murphy's sentiments were echoed by another boardwalk patron, Carmine Salute. "I'm glad that summer finally came," he said. "There's usually a spring in between, but not this year."
Salute said that he did more last Saturday then he had in a month, including waxing his car and going house-hunting with his girlfriend. Salute was also cheerful because a friend was visiting from Australia. "It's winter there now," said Salute. "So I'm happy the weather is good for him."
Though the weekend was gorgeous, the city still has a long way to go to recoup June's lost revenue. "The beaches were fairly crowded, but it was nothing compared to last year," said Bob Carroll, superintendent of recreation.
But Carroll added that with the Arts and Crafts Festival coming up and another sunny weekend in the forecast, the city hopes to start seeing its beach-generated revenue climb.
Summer safety tips
With the warm weather and sunny skies, there are a wide variety of activities to engage in during the summer. However, with them comes a list of dangers to be aware of.
Grill safety
According to the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc., there are several ways to ensure a safe barbecue. First, keep your grill away from anything flammable and never leave it unattended. Use your grill outdoors only. Inside, in addition to the potential danger of a house fire, carbon monoxide poisoning is possible. Always wear oven mitts and a heavy apron, and never let children or pets near the grill.
"In the high-rise apartments, you're only allowed to use electric flames," said Scott Kemins, Long Beach's building commissioner. Propane and charcoal are prohibited in those buildings.
Fireworks
Fireworks are illegal in New York and are only safe in the hands of professionals. Their use can lead to burns, lacerations, and in some cases blindness or amputation. At a professional fireworks display, stay at least 500 feet away from the launching area. If you see anyone using fireworks illegally, stay away.
Deck safety
In light of last weekend's tragedy in Chicago, in which 12 people died when an overcrowded balcony collapsed, officials hope residents remember to keep such outdoor parties safe.
In Long Beach, any deck that is more than 18 inches off the ground must be designed by a licensed architect or engineer and built by a licensed contractor, according to Kemins. Any older decks should be checked regularly by a licensed contractor to make sure they're safe. Most important, be conscious of the weight collecting on the deck.
"At the very least, they should not overload any decks," said Kemins.
