Before football players take the field and fans fill the stands this season, it’s more important than ever to inspect those light towers — and double-check the company that manufactured the poles.

Reason: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall warning on towers made by Whitco Co. LP.

Nine poles have already collapsed, causing extensive damage, such as:

• crashing through buildings, and
• crushing sections of bleachers.

Inspectors found cracks and fractures between the bases and poles of at least 50 additional light towers. The faulty towers pose serious safety risks, as each is nearly 135 feet tall and weighs nearly four tons.

The CPSC has not yet received any injury reports caused by falling poles.

Whitco is out of business, according to the CPSC. The agency is urging all schools that have these poles installed to schedule an inspection right away.

The CPSC also suggests routine inspection of all poles — regardless of the manufacturer.

For more information, e-mail info@cpsc.gov or call the agency’s hotline (800) 638-2772.

Tags: athletics, Health, school liability, school safety, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Whitco