Questions or comments about safety??? Contact our Region's Safety Director: Jill Hofer at safety@tustinayso.org or 714-669-8677

Important Safety Reminders

1. First Aid Kit
   Keep it with you and up to date with cold packs and other related items.
2. Safety items to discuss with players at first meeting
   • Shin guards are mandatory at practices and games. Socks go over shin guards.
   • Jewelry is not permitted at practices or games
   • Bring extra water to practices and games
   • Do not hang on goalposts
   • Please remind your parents to be punctual in picking up their children after practices and games
3. Adult-to-child Supervision
   To maintain the recommended adult to child supervision ratio of 1:8 or less; that is one adult for every eight or fewer children and two adults (one of whom may be the coach and one of whom should be of the same gender as the group) present at all times. For the protection of both the children and the volunteer, no volunteer should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities.
4. Emergency Treatment Authorization
   A section is included on the Player Registration Form. Coaches MUST have the acceptable Emergency Treatment Authorization forms with them at each practice or game (found on the bottom of Player Registration Form) with an original signature.
5. Goal Safety
   As part of our mission, AYSO must provide a safe playing environment for our players. We have found over the years that a very high number of accidents involve goalposts - children playing on unattended goalposts, improperly anchored goalposts which fall over, and goalposts with hooks to hold the nets rather than the newer velcro-secured goalposts.
   
   
   Movable soccer goals can tip over, causing injury or death. To help avoid these incidents, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers, school officials, soccer coaches, players, and organizers to follow these safety guidelines:
   
   
   • Securely anchor or counterweight portable goals at all times.
   • Never allow anyone to climb on the net or goal framework.
   • Remove nets when goals are not in use.
   • Tip unused goals onto their goal face, or chain goals to nearby fence posts, dugouts, or any other similar sturdy fixture.
   • Check all connecting hardware before each use. Replace damaged or missing fasteners immediately.
   • Ensure safety labels are clearly visible.
   • Fully disassemble goals for seasonal storage.
   
   
   The typical tip-over incident happens when a child or young adult climbs on or hangs from the crossbar of a soccer goal, which was left unattended or improperly anchored. The heavy goal topples onto and injures the individual. Even a gust of wind can topple a goal.
6. Dealing with Blood-Borne Diseases
   The possibility of contracting a blood-borne disease such as AIDS or hepatitis-B through athletic activity is minimal.
   
   
   AYSO guidelines and rules for when there is bleeding on the field state a player or official who is bleeding must:
   • leave the field immediately
   • receive medical treatment
   • may not return until the bleeding is stopped and the wound is covered
   The guidelines advise that if there is blood on the uniform or clothing, the individual may not return until:
   • that portion of the uniform or clothing is replaced
   • or the blood has been neutralized with a disinfectant solution.
7. Incident Reports
We hope that everyone enjoys a safe and incident free season. However, accidents and injuries do happen. If a player is injured at any time during practice or a game, you must complete an incident report and forward it to Safety Director. This form is found on the website at www.tustinayso.org under Safety.
8. SAI Secondary Insurance
SAI serves as a secondary form of medical and/or dental insurance should an accidental injury occur during specified AYSO activities and effects. Full-Excess Policy (also called “secondary” and pays on a Usual & Customary basis): The injured person must submit their medical bills to their primary healthcare insurance plan prior making a claim under the SAI policy. This form can also be found at www.tustinayso.org under Safety.