As Darwin gets set to welcome the Perth Wildcats for a basketball match at Marrara this weekend against the Townsville Crocs, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is reminding everyone that there is a serious safety message to consider if you have a basketball ring at home or are intending to get one.
Across Australia there are over 200,000 basketball rings and backboards installed on brick walls, over garages or doors.
The Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard) Basketball Rings and Backboards Regulations 2005 (comlaw website), a new Trade Practices Act mandatory standard, requires all basketball rings and backboards to carry a safety warning notice and symbol to be displayed at the time of purchase.
Unsafe installations of basketball rings and backboards can be easily dislodged by the weight of the player hanging off the ring. Fatal and serious injuries can result from falling bricks or guttering.
"Our safety campaign is intended to raise awareness of the safe use, installation and maintenance of basketball rings and backboards, and includes a printed safety brochure", Northern Territory Regional Director, Mr Derek Farrell, said today.
It is recommended that you:
- install a basketball ring and backboard safely
- fix the basketball ring and backboard to a 'hot dip' galvanised steel post
- check the condition of existing basketball rings and backboards
- remove unsafe basketball rings and backboards installed on brick walls and
- tell children never to hang or swing on the basketball ring.
"Basketball is a safe sport that people of all ages and skill levels can play at home or in an organised competition", Basketball Australia Chief Executive, Mr Scott Derwin, said. "If you are going to install a ring at home, make sure you adhere to all the safety standards and don't swing on the ring".
Basketball rings at professional sporting venues are re-enforced to withstand the elite level of play. More information will be available at the game this Sunday or from the ACCC Darwin office.