--My thoughts & prayers go to a local family & a school in our district this evening who had an unimaginable tragedy strike today--(ironically, I had taken this picture near my classroom this morning)

Regulation soccer goalposts, usually made from steel, aluminum or similar metal pipe, measure about 8 feet by 24 feet and weigh between 250 and 800 pounds. Because they can cause injury if they tip, manufacturers recommend that goalposts not in use be chained to a fence or other permanent structure, placed goal-face down on the ground, or disassembled for storage.

From 1979 to 1994, 24 people were killed by falling soccer goalposts, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Most of the fatal incidents were attributed to improper installation or use. The average age of the victims was 10. In addition, an estimated 120 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to goalpost accidents from 1989 through 1993.

In many cases, the goalposts involved were properly anchored. At least 15 injuries or deaths occurred at school fields. Doing chin-ups, swinging from the header bar, climbing on the goal frame and lifting the goalposts all were activities that led to serious injury or death.