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CPSC Warns Consumers: Anchor Soccer Goals to Prevent Tipover September 25, 1996
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SourceUnited States Consumer Product Safety CommissionForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesCPSC Hotline InformationProtective Eyewear for Young Athletes Going Back To School Can Be Hazardous To Teeth For Immediate Release; |
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As soccer season approaches, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents, coaches, school administrators, park officials, and players to anchor movable soccer goals to prevent them from tipping over and crushing children who climb or hang on them. In 1995, CPSC issued voluntary safety guidelines addressing the design, use, storage, and set-up of movable soccer goals, which have been responsible for at least 22 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries since 1979. Most of these deaths and injuries occurred with unanchored homemade goals including those assembled by high school shop classes and local businesses. In addition to fatal accidents, hospital emergency rooms treat about 90 soccer goal-related injuries each year. "Parents would never think that something that looks so stable could tip over," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "Movable soccer goals are a hidden hazard to kids, who can be hurt or killed even if they're not playing soccer." In 1995, the National Federation of State High School Associations Soccer Rules Committee changed high school soccer rules to require that soccer goals be anchored at all times before, during, and after play. In February 1996, the Canadian Product Safety Bureau adopted CPSC's "Guidelines for Movable Soccer Goal Safety." CPSC had requested the Federation Internationale Football Association to consider similar changes at the international level. The international association is considering making these changes to prevent soccer goal tipover. "Coaches, parents and CPSC all want the same thing for kids: we want them to have fun and play soccer safely," Brown said. "Parents should check their children's soccer goals. If the goals aren't anchored, kids shouldn't play." CPSC is working with manufacturers, soccer coaches, school and park officials, and others to distribute "Guidelines for Movable Soccer Goal Safety." For a copy of the guidelines, consumers should send a postcard with their name and address to Soccer Goal Guidelines, CPSC, Washington, D.C. 20207.The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information via Internet gopher services at cpsc.gov or report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov. Back to top |
