You have nothing to
fear from a quiet, unassuming portable soccer goal, right? Its importance
as the focus of a child's goal-kicking effort outweighs any possible
danger, right? WRONG!
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
has reported 26 deaths and hundreds of injuries since 1979 resulting
from soccer goal accidents. Most of these injuries occur when children
climb on top of an unsecured goal, causing it to either break from
the strain (in the case of many homemade goals) or simply flip over
onto an unsuspecting victim. You only need to review some of the
descriptions of injuries and deaths addressed in the CPSC report
to become saddened by this easily-preventable problem.
The bottom line is this: Goal safety is everyone's
job and your volunteers and parents need to be aware of the dangers.
The problem with goals is their shape. There is
nothing in front of the goal to prevent its tipping forward. The
only way is to keep the back from lifting up.
Many portable goals are not professionally manufactured,
and use the same heavy materials for the front face (goal mouth),
back and bottom. Using lighter materials for the front and heavier
materials for the bottom can help reduce the risk of goal tipping.
Still, even when they're properly built, securely
anchoring the bottom and back of portable goals is the most important
step you can take to prevent soccer goal injuries. GOAL ANCHORING
METHODS >>
Other Dangers
In several cases, children climbing on goals or getting underfoot
while they are being moved has resulted in serious accidents. Additionally,
high winds may cause goals to tip over. Therefore, never allow children
to play on goals, and always exercise caution when transporting
them.
Most accidents don't happen during a game situation,
but when kids are playing nearby on a non-soccer day and get the
idea to hang on the goal. So be sure goals are properly stored when
not in use, and disassemble them completely for the off-season.
The CPSC is working with manufacturers to address
risks presented by goals and to make movable soccer goals more stable.
However, there are actions you can take now to prevent accidents:
Securely anchor or counter-weight portable goals at all times.
Never climb on the net or goal framework.
Remove nets when goals are not in use.
Tip unused goals onto their goal face, or chain them face-to-face.
You can also chain unused goals to nearby fence posts or other sturdy
fixtures.
Check all connecting hardware before every use. Replace damaged
or missing fasteners immediately.
Use warning labels and make sure they are clearly visible.
Fully disassemble goals for off-season storage.
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