Fall is on it’s way, and for many this means trips to the pumpkin patch, the apple orchard, and fall sports – including soccer.
Unfortunately the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports of at least 35 deaths since 1979 resulting from soccer goals falling or tipping over. These have been caused by both homemade and professionally manufactured soccer goals.
On July 1, 2013 the Moveable Soccer Goal Safety Act, SB 933 took effect in Virginia.
The new law requires every organization that owns and controls a movable soccer goal to establish a soccer goal safety and education policy that outlines how the organization will address any safety concerns related to movable soccer goals.
These including the dangers of non-anchored or improperly anchored soccer goals tipping over, and the care that must be taken to ensure proper installation, setup, maintenance, and transportation of movable soccer goals. The law also prohibits the sale of movable soccer goals that are not tip-resistant beginning July 1, 2014 and requires the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Division of State Parks to convene a work group to examine safety issues related to moveable soccer goals.
If your entity has soccer goals in use, please take the time to educate yourself on the dangers and remedies associated with prevention of tip over. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued guidelines and other materials to assist entities with this important issue.
- CPSC Guidelines for Moveable Soccer Goals Safety
- CPSC Safety Alert: Moveable Soccer Goals Can Fall Over on Children
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