Architects today called for a public awareness campaign about the dangers of do-it-yourself basketball hoops after the weekend death of a nine-year-old boy.
The boy died after being hit by part of a garage wall that collapsed when he apparently slam-dunked a basketball.
The Kilsyth boy became the third death from slam-dunking in Victoria since 1996 according to Archicentre, the residential advisory service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects .
Archicentre managing director Robert Caulfield said he was concerned that the tens of thousands of basketball hoops in backyards around Australia were accidents waiting to happen.
“People are often lulled into a false sense of security by thinking brick walls are secure structurally,” Mr Caulfield said.
“The reality is a garage wall or above the door – usually the most convenient location for the basketball ring – is normally single brick and very easily disturbed.”
Source: AAP
