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For Immediate Release
Contact: Ken Giles
September 25, 1996
(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1184
Release # 96-192

CPSC Warns Consumers: Anchor Soccer Goals to Prevent Tipover

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.

                                   ####

092596,CPSC WARNS CONSUMERS: ANCHOR SOCCER GOALS TO PREVENT
TIPOVERS, TIPOVER HAZARD


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