Football Equipment Cleaning and Maintenance
How to Disinfect and Maintain Football Accessories
Aug 30, 2009
Injury and illness caused by poor equipment upkeep can shorten the season for young athletes and in extreme cases can lead to life threatening injuries. It is important to ensure equipment fits properly at the equipment check out and is maintained throughout the season. Parents can help prevent the occurrence of staph infections in their athletes and teammates by properly disinfecting all equipment.
Ensuring Proper Equipment Fit and Maintenance
Find a dry place to store football equipment when not in use. A basement or mud room is a good choice. Hang equipment on hooks, hangars, or store on floor on cardboard or pallets to allow for air circulation. Check equipment often for proper fit and signs of cracks or damage such as broken snaps, split straps, or loose parts.
- Helmet – The football star should get a haircut prior to equipment checkout. If the hairstyle changes drastically throughout the season, the helmet should be refitted. The front of the helmet should fall less than an inch above the eyebrow. The ear holes should naturally match up with ears. The back of the helmet should not push on the spine when the neck is extended. Move the helmet around from side to side and up and down using force to ensure that it is not easily displaced.
- Face mask - The facemask should rest far enough from the nose to prevent face injury during heavy contact. The nose should not be close to nor touch the cage.
- Mouth guard – Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for fitting and cleaning. Keep an extra at home as some brands of mouth gear wear faster than others. Boil and refit to make adjustments.
- Shoulder pads – Shoulder pads should promote mobility without sliding around. The front and back of the shoulder pads should cover the pectorals and shoulder blades respectively. Athletes should wear a t-shirt to prevent rash and skin irritation from straps. Adding supplemental padding systems worn under the pads helps to cushion inevitable pinching and bruising from contact.
- Hip and tail pads – Hip, tail pads, and the pad belt should be checked for proper placement. These pads should not be trimmed to the comfort of the player, as this will defeat the purpose of the coverage.
- Knee and thigh pads – pads should fit tightly in the pants liner and not slide around providing appropriate coverage for the intended area.
- Cleats – Ensure that cleats meet the school’s athletic footwear requirements. Keep newspaper on hand for wet shoes from wet conditions or sweat. Simply ball newspaper and stuff into shoes to absorb moisture.
Disinfect Equipment to Thwart Staph Infections
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 30% of the population carries Staphylococcus Aureus in their nose or on their skin. Mainly causing pimples and boils, these infections are transferred people to people through direct physical contact or via an object such as a helmet or uniform. Common staph infections can also cause pneumonia, infections of the bloodstream and joint infections. In its extreme form, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), antibiotic resistant staph infections can cause severe illness and even death.
To help prevent the growth and spread of these and other close contact communicable germs it is imperative that equipment, including uniforms, be washed and disinfected often. Take equipment off immediately after practice or a game. Transport dirty equipment in a car trunk for long commutes. Once home, transport equipment to a dry place and clean as soon as practical. Following the manufacturer’s washing instructions is important to prevent the equipment from prematurely breaking down.
- Helmets – Wipe outside of helmet and mask with an anti bacterial wipe or warm soapy water. The inside can be sprayed with Lysol®
- Shoulder pads – Most pads can be sprayed with Lysol®. If pads become extremely muddy, simply hose them off and hang to dry.
- Hip pads – Wipe with soap and damp cloth.
- Cup and athletic supporter – Most jocks and cup systems can be thrown in the wash but read manufacturer’s care label.
- Knee and Thigh pads – These can be treated with Lysol® as needed.
- Cleats- Use newspaper as indicated above to remove moisture, spray with Lysol®, or toss in the wash if recommended by care labeling.
- Uniform – Launder per care instructions after each practice or game. Football jerseys are exposed to dirt, bacteria, and sweat.
- Water jug – Purchase a water jug that is dishwasher safe and wash after each use. Encourage your player not to share drinks and label the jug with player’s name and number.
Football is a tremendous opportunity for young athletes to grow and bond. By properly maintaining and cleaning sports equipment, parents can help their players avoid unnecessary injury or illness and enjoy a long and healthy season.
Reference: Community-associated (CAMRSA)/Staph Infections:A Guideline for Athletic Departments
 |
