Take time before this weekend’s games to evaluate your soccer field’s goals. Are the goals securely anchored? Are the goals only on flat fields?

Without taking proper safety precautions, movable goals pose a risk to players and spectators. Soccer goals can tip over and injure players if not handled correctly. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has reports of at least 28 deaths since 1979 due to soccer goals falling over.

More accidents can be prevented. See the CPSC Safety Alert for a diagram of how to properly stake down goals and other important goal safety such as never climb on the soccer net or goal framework.

Safe storage of the goals is just as important as when they are in use. According to the CPSC, “remove nets when goals are not in use, anchor or chain goals to a nearby fence post or similar sturdy fixture when not in use and fully disassemble goals for seasonal storage.” When putting the goals back out on the fields, make sure that they lie on flat surfaces, that “the safety labels are clearly visible and check all connecting hardware before each use and replace damaged or missing fasteners immediately.”