The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Coalition to Promote Safe Soccer Goals today announced a warning label and safety information program to address the hazard of mobile soccer goal tip-over when children climb on or hang from the goal.
The Commission knows of 17 deaths that occured since 1979 and were associated with mobile soccer goal tip-over. The victims ranged in age from three years to 22 years and generally were not involved in the game of soccer when the incident occurred. The typical tip-over incident happened when a child or young adult climbed on or hung from the crossbar of a soccer goal which was left unattended or improperly anchored. The heavy goal toppled onto and crushed the individual. In one case, the unanchored goal was blown onto the victim by a gust of wind. The goals were constructed of wood, metal, or plastic and were either homemade, non-branded, or produced professionally by soccer goal manufacturers. Mobile style soccer goals are used by private and public elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and municipal playgrounds and recreation areas.
To help avoid these incidents, CPSC and the Coalition urge consumers, school officials, soccer coaches, players, and organizers to follow these safety guidelines:
-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 goals to nearby fence posts, dug-outs, or any other similar sturdy fixture.
-Check all connecting hardware before every use. Replace damaged or missing fasteners immediately.
-Ensure safety labels are clearly visible.
-Fully disassemble goals for seasonal storage.
The Coalition is distributing FREE warning labels for placement on all mobile soccer goals, safety bulletins to be placed in schools and municipal recreation facilities, and proper anchoring and securing instructions for goals in use and in storage.
Consumers, school officials, soccer coaches and organizers may obtain labels by writing to: SAFE GOALS c/o SICA, 200 Castlewood Drive, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, or call any of the members of the Coalition:
-BSN Sports (1-800-527-7510)
-Jayfro Corp. (1-800-243-0533)
-Goal! Sporting Goods Inc. (1-800-334-4625)
-Kwik Goal Ltd. (1-800-531-4252)
CPSC is announcing this warning label program as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products within CPSC's jurisdiction.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
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