Keeping our goals safe
Every year children are injured or lose their lives in goal post accidents. This risk is very real, and soccer goals are so much a part of our “scenery” that we often don’t recognize the danger. Simply, falling goals can seriously injure and kill.
Here are some simple safety guidelines to reduce the risk:
Never start a practice or game
• without inspecting the goals; don’t rely on someone else to ensure the safety of your players.
• Always make sure that goals are properly anchored, including portable goals, before you start play. If goals are not anchored, don’t have players in the goal area and notify the proper official immediately.
• Be sure to check that the top cross bar is secure. If it is constructed of two pieces, make sure they are bolted together.
• Know how goals should be anchored. For the best instruction, go to Consumer Safety Products at www.cpsc.gov; then make sure you give proper instruction to all members of your club, league or association.
• Perform periodic surveys on goal condition
• Communicate goal safety information through every channel and opportunity, including your website and registration.
• Goals aren’t playground equipment. Make sure that your soccer player – all your children – understand that goals should never be climbed. Don’t allow play on soccer goals.
• Be responsible. If you see any children playing on a goal, ask them to stop and inform the proper official.
• Be aware – goals are a part of the landscape but can injure or kill. Respect them.
• Make sure that goals are stored safely when not in use.
Never under any circumstances ask players to help you move a goal.