Autumn is a good time to be planning for the winter. Sporting injuries can be reduced with protective equipment and modified rules. Install heater guards and choose sleepwear which is labeled as less flammable.

Heater guards
Many children are burnt on heaters and open fires. Guards will prevent contact with hot surfaces and flames and prevent contact with clothing which could ignite.

• Install heater guards around all open fires, gas wall furnaces, electric radiators, fan heaters and pot-bellied and combustion stoves.
• Ensure that guards are securely attached to the wall.
• A good test of whether you need a guard is to place your hand on the surface. If the surface is so hot that you cannot leave it there for more than 10 seconds, you need a guard.
• Guards should be about 700mm high.

• Teams should be matched according to strength, game ability and maturity.
• The ground surface should be evenly grassed and goalposts padded.
• Encourage players to warm up well before playing.
• A mouthguard should be worn at all times.
• Use modified rules and equipment for young players.