When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

Many small open shelters on athletic fields, golf courses, parks, roadside picnic areas, schoolyards and elsewhere are designed to protect people from rain and sun, but not lightning. A shelter that does not contain plumbing or wiring throughout, or some other mechanism for grounding from the roof to ground is not safe. Small wooden, vinyl, or metal sheds offer little or no protection from lightning and should be avoided during thunderstorms.

Inside the schools are considered a Lightning Safe structure.  Unfortunately, they are usually closed during any practices and game events. 

Parents - if the weather looks threatening and the forecast is for thundershowers, please stick around practice or games. Fields are spread out and cover a large area and while it maybe sunny at your house, there could be thunder, lightning, and pouring rain at the playing fields. 

Below is a National Weather Service link which describes lightning safety. Information about safe buildings, unsafe buildings, safe and unsafe vehicles.  There is also a Outdoor Sports Safety Guide available to download and share with players and other family members. 

https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning