SOCCER GOAL SAFETY
At Keeper Goals we take goal safety seriously. According to the U.S. Consumer and Product Safety Commission, "There are approximately 225,000 to 500,000 soccer goals in the United States. Many of these soccer goals are unsafe because they are unstable and are either unanchored or not properly anchored or counter-balanced. These movable soccer goals pose an unnecessary risk of tipover to children who climb on goals (or nets) or hang from the crossbar."*
Misuse of soccer goals has resulted in serious injury and death. Most injuries occur when there is no adult supervision. Wind, sloped surfaces and people hanging from the goal can all tip a soccer goal. Any freestanding goal that is not cemented into the ground can be tipped over if enough people hang from the goal. We believe education is the key component to ensuring that the field you are playing on is safe.
|
Warning labels are always available for all goals. Call or email us if you need replacement warning labels. |
Goal Safety Requirements
Soccer goal safety rules vary from area to area. All rules state that, at a minimum, movable goals must be counterbalanced or anchored.
For More Information On Goal Safety:
U.S. Consumer and Product Safety Commission Document 326U.S. Consumer and Product Safety Commission Document 5118
Soccer Goal Safety Recommendations:
- Movable goals must be properly staked down or anchored at all times.
- Do not set-up, use or store a goal on a slope or hill.
- Check that all fastenings are tightened securely. Consistently check to ensure that no one has tampered with fasteners.
- Regularly inspect the structural integrity of the goal. Check for broken welds or parts. Do not use a goal with broken parts.
- NEVER climb on, or hang from, the framework of a goal. This message should be repeatedly told to kids, coaches and parents.
- Regularly check to insure warning labels are visible on all movable soccer goals.
- Goals should only be moved by adults and by enough people. Use caution when moving goals.
- Goals should be re-anchored after each move.
- Remove nets when goals are not in use.
- Never leave children unsupervised with soccer nets.
- Make sure goals are secured by locking them together, or anchoring them to the ground, before leaving the field.
Player Shelter Safety Recommendations:
Anchor or Secure Player Shelters
Because of wind, all shelters must be secured to the ground by anchors, chain stakes or duckbills; or they need to be bolted to a concrete base. Tell us how you will use your shelter and we can help you with your options for securing your shelters.
- Shelters must be properly anchored at all times.
- Do not use or store a shelter on a slope or hill.
- Check that all fastenings are tightened securely. Consistently check to ensure that no one has tampered with fasteners.
- Inspect the structural integrity of the shelters. Check for broken welds or parts. Do not use a goal with broken parts.
- Do not climb on, or hang from, the framework of a shelter. This message should be repeatedly told to kids, coaches and parents.
- Regularly check to insure warning labels are visible on all shelters.
- Shelters should only be moved by adults and by enough people. Use caution when moving goals. Shelters should be re-anchored after each move.
- Make sure shelters are secured by locking them together, or anchoring them to the ground, before leaving the field.
How the goals or shelters will be used, and the condition of the soil, will determine how goal anchors should be chosen. Please call us with any questions you have about choosing stakes and anchors or about goal safety.
What makes soccer goals by Keeper Goals safe?
All of the soccer goals manufactured by Keeper Goals, that do qualify, meet the requirements set forth by ASTM F2056-00 safety performance specification for soccer goals and consumer products safety. (See ASTM F20-56-00 referenced above for specifics on requirements and testing.)
All movable soccer goals that we manufacture have a backbar to counterbalance the weight of the goal.
Though many soccer goals look the same they are not all created equal. At Keeper Goals, we use high-performance materials that are stronger and thicker than those used by most of our competitors – the result: our goals can sustain more abuse, without deforming like those goals made out of less expensive materials.
Keeper Goals also sells a variety of stake and anchors to suit your specific needs. (more info.)
What about artificial turf?
If possible, the anchoring system should be installed before the final surface is in place, (sleeves for our P-Series Goals or our S80 Stadium Cup Goals or a duckbill system with a plastic cap are the most commonly used anchors for artificial turf). If that is not possible, please check with the artificial turf company to see how cutting would affect the turf and any accompanying warranties. If necessary, sand bags and steel anchor weights may be used, but are not ideal; it is too easy for these items to be removed. If goals are not anchored, we highly recommend chaining the goals face to face after game or practice on all artificial turf fields.
Warning labels are always available for all goals. Call or email us if you need replacement warning labels. (more info.)
*U.S. Consumer and Product Safety Commission Report on Soccer Goal Guidelines, Jan., 1995.
