As a parent and volunteer in youth sports in the Chicago area, I would like to comment on “Requiem for a dad” (Editorial, June 8). Like Daniel Rice, the coach who recently was killed by lightning, I am 47 years old and the father of two. The editorial stated, “These two men were taking no unusual risks. They were doing what dads do every day because they love their kids and they love sports.”
Unfortunately, the editors missed an opportunity to educate their readership on the dangers of lightning.
True, Rice and the opposing coach, Martin Magida, were doing nothing unusual, but that is the disturbing problem. In the Glenview American Youth Soccer Organization, we instruct our coaches and referees to suspend play and make players and spectators go to shelter at the first sound of thunder, whether or not lightning has been observed. We do not return to the playing fields for at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash.
The National Weather Service has what it calls the 30-30 Rule: “Use the 30-30 rule where visibility is good and there is nothing obstructing your view of the thunderstorm. When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is within six miles of you and is dangerous. Seek shelter immediately. The threat of lightning continues for a much longer period than most people realize. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash before leaving shelter. Don’t be fooled by sunshine or blue sky!”
We suspend play at the first sign of thunder or lightning because we cannot expect that people will always have an unobstructed view of the storm. Many parents and children are frustrated by our seemingly conservative safety guidelines.
When the storm has passed, and the sky is blue, and the kids and parents are whining about how nice the weather is, it is easy to say “OK” and resume play. But I urge everyone to follow these simple precautions and prevent another heartbreaking lightning strike. One cannot tell whether it is safe to leave shelter by looking at the sky.
