Coaches, Parents, Players, and all who participate in youth activities at East Lake Soccer Fields, please read and adhere to the following important Safety Policies concerning:
ELYSA Lightining Prediction System Policy
On top of the East Lake Football concession stand is the ELYSA Thor Guard Lightning Prediction Warning System for all member sport programs. The system predicts and sounds a warning if there is a possibility of a lightning strike at the complex to provide for the safety of all participants and spectators at the East Lake Youth Sports Complex. All parents, coaches, team managers, and anyone using the facility must adhere to this policy and will be penalized for not doing so and thus putting themselves and the children potentially in harm's way.
The system sounds a horn for 15 seconds when danger of lightning strikes exists. Everyone must leave the fields and seek shelter. The only safe shelter is the interior of a building or a vehicle in the parking lot. Parents must not leave their children at the complex without making provisions with coaches for their shelter if the need should arise. After the horn sounds, the yellow strobe light will continue to flash as long as danger of lightning exists. An all-clear signal of three five-second horn blasts will signal that the danger has passed. At this time you may resume field activities.
>br> When turning the corner into the complex, please check for the strobe light indicator atop the football building. If the yellow strobe light is flashing, remain in your car and await information from your coach. No teams are to be on the fields or outside of their cars at the complex when the light is flashing. Placards regarding the system are posted on the fence at our main entrance, at the south end of our covered patio area, and on the east portion of the wall at the front of the soccer concession stand. Please familiarize yourself with the contents thereon.
Penalties
From the time of the first alarm to the time that the all clear is sounded, all players, coaches, spectators -- everyone must remain in their cars. The following penalties have been established for disregarding the system's warning signal and remaining on the complex grounds.
First Offense
A verbal and written warning will be issued including additional instruction on the Lightning Predictor System Policy.
Second Offense
East Lake Coach/Manager: A Season-Long Suspension.
East Lake Team: A Season-Long Ban from Using East Lake Youth Sports Facilities.
We thank the Oldsmar/East Lake Rotary Club for their generosity in their donation of this system.
Goal Safety Policy
This is a warning to remind you of the hazards associated with children hanging on movable goals. All goals at East Lake soccer complex are classified as movable goals.
There have been at least 21 deaths during the past 16 years associated with movable soccer goals. In addition, an estimated 120 injuries involving falling goals are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms. Usually these accidents are a result of goals tipping over from children hanging on to them.
We often see children trying to do chin-ups, or attempting to jump up to the cross bar to swing on the goal. Please alert your player, as well as the players on your team, to avoid this activity. It is very dangerous. Also, please look out for soccer players at East Lake in general. Educate any child you see hanging/climbing onto goals not to continue this activity due to the potential for injury associated with the tipping over of goals.
The soccer board at East Lake wants to make your complex as safe as possible. We appreciate you help in this matter throughout the coming season.