Website Manager

Morris United Soccer Club

Academy Travel Recreation TOPSoccer

Lightning Safety

Lightning Safety Policy

Fields cannot be used in weather conditions involving even the threat of lightning. The presence of even distant thunder requires play to be suspended. Fields must remain clear for 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or lighting is observed.

US Youth Soccer Link on Lightning Safety: http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/lightning_safety_outdoors/

Lightning Safety Rules

  1. Postpone activities promptly. Don't wait for rain. Many people take shelter from the rain, but most people struck by lightning are not in the rain! Go quickly inside a completely enclosed building, not a carport, open garage or covered patio. If no enclosed building is convenient, get inside a hard-topped all-metal vehicle.
  2. Be the lowest point. Lightning hits the tallest object. In the mountains if you are above tree line, you ARE the highest object around. Quickly get below tree line and get into a grove of small trees. Don't be the second tallest object during a lightning storm! Crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
  3. Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing wind, which may be signs of an approaching thunderstorm.
  4. Listen for the sound of thunder. If you can hear thunder, go to a safe shelter immediately.
  5. If you see or hear a thunderstorm coming or your hair stands on end, immediately suspend your game or practice and instruct everyone to go inside a sturdy building or car. Sturdy buildings are the safest place to be. Avoid sheds, picnic shelters, baseball dugouts, and bleachers. If no sturdy building is nearby, a hard-top vehicle with windows closed will offer some protection. The steel frame of the vehicle provides some protection if you are not touching metal.
  6. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio. Coaches and other leaders should listen for a tone-alert feature during practice sessions and games.
  7. If you can't get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.
  8. Avoid leaning against vehicles. Get off bicycles and motorcycles.
  9.   Get out of the water. It's a great conductor of electricity.  Lightning can strike the water and travel some distance beneath and away from its point of contact. Don’t stand in puddles of water, even if wearing rubber boots.
  10. Avoid metal! Drop metal backpacks, stay away from clothes lines, fences, exposed sheds and electrically conductive elevated objects. Don't hold on to metal items such golf clubs, fishing rods, tennis rackets or tools. Large metal objects can conduct lightning. Small metal objects can cause burns.
  11. Move away from a group of people. Stay several yards away from other people. Don't share a bleacher bench or huddle in a group.

What to do if someone is struck by lightning

  • Call for help. Call 9-1-1 or your local ambulance service. Get medical attention as quickly as possible.
  • Give first aid. If the victim has stopped breathing, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, address any other injuries.
  • Check for burns in two places. The injured person has received an electric shock and may be burned. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight. People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge that can shock other people. You can examine them without risk.

Contact Us

Morris United Soccer Club

45 South Park Place, Box 103
Morristown, New Jersey 07960

Phone: 602-492-6872
Email: [email protected]

Morris United Soccer Club

45 South Park Place, Box 103
Morristown, New Jersey 07960

Phone: 602-492-6872
Email: [email protected]
Copyright © 2024 DONE-Morris United Soccer Club  |  Privacy Statement |  Terms Of Use |  License Agreement |  Children's Privacy Policy  Login