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Movable Soccer Goals Are A Commonly Overlooked Danger At Most Parks
You see them at most parks -- movable soccer goals. What you may not think about is the dangers, dozens of people who died or were injured when they come crashing down.
"Soccer goals are heavy, they can fall over, they can injure kids, they can kill kids,” said Consumer Product Safety Commission Spokesperson Patty Davis.
For years the Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned about the danger. A danger KEYE TV found is all too common with local soccer goals.
"Some people may not think there is a threat with soccer goals,” said Davis. It's important to take precautions, precautions including anchoring that soccer goal down.”
Since 1979 there have been 38 deaths across the country, and more than 100 injuries.
KEYE TV randomly checked soccer fields in Williamson and Travis Counties. Some of the goals were anchored down with sandbags and stakes, most were precariously untethered.
"The biggest deal for us is goal security, and just making sure that people check them,” said Round Rock Parks Director Rick Atkins.
Round Rock’s Parks and Recreation Director agreed to meet KEYE TV at the soccer fields at Old Settlers Park. On the day of the interview all of the goals throughout the park were securely weighted down. But we explained to the director that we checked multiple times on different days before the interview and found most goals at the park were not secured during our checks and could easily tip over.
“If that's the case it’s one of those things we will make sure that our guys take a look at,” said Atkins.
Throughout our investigation in both counties, at some parks we found sandbags and stakes next to the goals, but not actually securing them. In many places stickers were on the goals warning they should be secured at all times, but few actually were.
"If something gets reported to us we make sure that we address it within the day,” said Atkins.
But it can't just be all on the city to address any problems. People move the goals and don't take precautions. Round Rocks parks director offers up this advice: always check them.
"We’ve got crews that are rooted in the park daily so they are running around checking them, but it doesn't mean that they are always safe. You need to assume that you need to check them yourself as well,” said Atkins.
Since our interview each time we've checked back in Round Rock the goals have been secured.
There is no law in Texas stating movable soccer goals need to be weighted down, that’s just safety advice from the CPSC and many of the goal manufacturers.
The guidelines are not a CPSC stand nor are they mandatory requirements. They believe the guidelines can help prevent deaths and serious injuries resulting from soccer goal tip over.
By Adam Racusin
Movable Soccer Goals Are A Commonly Overlooked Danger At Most Parks
You see them at most parks -- movable soccer goals. What you may not think about is the dangers, dozens of people who died or were injured when they come crashing down.
"Soccer goals are heavy, they can fall over, they can injure kids, they can kill kids,” said Consumer Product Safety Commission Spokesperson Patty Davis.
For years the Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned about the danger. A danger KEYE TV found is all too common with local soccer goals.
"Some people may not think there is a threat with soccer goals,” said Davis. It's important to take precautions, precautions including anchoring that soccer goal down.”
Since 1979 there have been 38 deaths across the country, and more than 100 injuries.
KEYE TV randomly checked soccer fields in Williamson and Travis Counties. Some of the goals were anchored down with sandbags and stakes, most were precariously untethered.
"The biggest deal for us is goal security, and just making sure that people check them,” said Round Rock Parks Director Rick Atkins.
Round Rock’s Parks and Recreation Director agreed to meet KEYE TV at the soccer fields at Old Settlers Park. On the day of the interview all of the goals throughout the park were securely weighted down. But we explained to the director that we checked multiple times on different days before the interview and found most goals at the park were not secured during our checks and could easily tip over.
“If that's the case it’s one of those things we will make sure that our guys take a look at,” said Atkins.
Throughout our investigation in both counties, at some parks we found sandbags and stakes next to the goals, but not actually securing them. In many places stickers were on the goals warning they should be secured at all times, but few actually were.
"If something gets reported to us we make sure that we address it within the day,” said Atkins.
But it can't just be all on the city to address any problems. People move the goals and don't take precautions. Round Rocks parks director offers up this advice: always check them.
"We’ve got crews that are rooted in the park daily so they are running around checking them, but it doesn't mean that they are always safe. You need to assume that you need to check them yourself as well,” said Atkins.
Since our interview each time we've checked back in Round Rock the goals have been secured.
There is no law in Texas stating movable soccer goals need to be weighted down, that’s just safety advice from the CPSC and many of the goal manufacturers.
The guidelines are not a CPSC stand nor are they mandatory requirements. They believe the guidelines can help prevent deaths and serious injuries resulting from soccer goal tip over.
By Adam Racusin
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