Never shelter under an isolated tree. Also, southeastern states are particularly at risk, with Florida and Texas having the largest number of lightning-related deaths. So, you dont want to be using anything thats associated with the plumbing, such as taking a shower, washing your hands, or doing the dishes. Instead, Peters suggests keeping a safe distance from faucets and appliances that plug into the walls during a thunderstorm. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. You may be wondering whether this advice also applies to homes that have lightning rods as well. Lightning can strike the same place twice. If youre reading this and thinking, OK, it may be possible, but it probably never happens, think again. Looking back, it may seem silly that we were ever so scared of thunderstorms. Be prepared. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. But how likely is it for lightning to find you inside a building? We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. The risk of lightning travelling through plumbing might be less with plastic pipes than with metal pipes. For instance, most lightning strikes occur in the summer months, especially July, during the afternoon and evening. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you might be in danger of a lightning strike. Thunder, on the other hand, is the product of that. The best defense is to avoid lightning. "If lightning strikes a home directly or enters the building through the wiring, plumbing, or landline phone wire, the electricity will follow a path of least resistance through the wires or plumbing to reach the ground," Peters explainedand sometimes you can get in the way of that path. The lightning is trying to find a path to the ground, said Jeffrey Peters, severe weather program coordinator and lightning safety expert at National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). While it sounds scary that you can get struck by lightning within your own home, its still safer to be inside during a storm than to be outside. Can I get struck by lightning if there is no rain? This is due to the risk of electrocution. During a thunderstorm, the best way to avoid getting hurt outdoors is to stay inside. Yes. "They might've had, for example, instead of full metal pipes, there may've been a plastic section so that way the water pipes were not earthed properly and he could've got a shock that way. Cell phones and cordless phones are safe to use during a thunderstorm if they are not connected to an outlet through a charger. The sink, shower, bathtub, dishwasher and washing machine, as well as anything thats plugged into the wall like a lamp or a corded phone. As for showering during a thunderstorm, its advised that you dont. We take your privacy seriously. Here are some outdoor safety tips that can help you avoid being struck. In 2017, a New York man was struck by lightning while sitting inside his auto repair shop. When I got to the last dish to wash, I filled up the sink and right when I put my hands in the water, lightning struck the McDonalds and the Bank across the street, she told TODAY Home over the phone. It is safe to touch a lightning victim and administer first aid immediately. The CDC also advises against standing or sitting near windows. Her writing has appeared in Thought Catalog, The List, Drink Me Magazine, the Auburn Examiner, and Litro Magazine in the United Kingdom. The path of this discharge is usually the one of least resistance, so things that are more conductive (like metal) are more likely to be struck during a storm. "Lightning can strike up to three to 10 or more miles away from the parent storm," added Peters. "You have water coming into your house, you have electricity coming into your house and the earth of the electricity is tied to the earth of the water pipes," Dr Karl said, "They're both going to a stake, the size of the diameter of your thumb that's hammered into the ground, so definitely [showering during a storm] should be safe."'. While Cooper acknowledges that most indoor lightning strikes aren't fatal, its important to be aware of bodily changes afterward. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. According to John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist for the National Weather Service (NWS), in order to stay safe in your home during a storm, you need to stay away from anything that conducts electricity, which includes both wires and the plumbing, Accuweather reports. Answer (1 of 66): I work as a lifeguard for an indoor and outdoor facility in a place where it thunders frequently during the month of August. LifeSavvy is focused on a single goal: helping you make the most informed purchases possible. many things you don't know about thunderstorms, these simple steps to stay safe during a storm. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. In 2017, a New York man. If thunderstorms are forecast, change plans or ensure that a safe shelter is nearby. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. From beauty hacks to DIY home dcor and everything in between -- Lindsay has a passion for crafting stories that entertain, educate, and inspire. If there if you feel that you are processing thoughts differently or more slowly than usual, cognitive therapy may help. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. You should avoid being near doors and porches, too. Is it safe to take a shower during a thunderstorm? These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. But did you know you should avoid taking a shower, a bath or washing the dishes during a thunderstorm? And that doesn't just mean sitting in the tub, waiting for (literal) lightning to strike. However, one of the many things you don't know about thunderstorms is that the small chance of being struck by lightning does not make it safe to shower during a thunderstorm. Luckily, there were no long-term effects of the strike, but she does claim that for a few months after the fact, her vision had somehow improved. Most lightning strike victims are people who regularly participate in outdoor recreation activities or work outside. Nottingham Trent University provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK. According to Jeffrey Peters, a Severe Weather Program Coordinator from the National Weather Service (NWS), the "old wives' tale" is actually true. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Is it safe to be under a tree during a lightning storm? How many people are injured from lightning strikes each year in the United States? Advice abounds when a thunderstorm finds you and your home. Is it safe to take a shower or bath during a thunderstorm? "Lightning Safety Tips and Resources." But a cordless home phone or a mobile are completely safe. Also avoid using anything plugged into an electrical outlet (computers, TVs, washing machines, dishwashers) as all of these can provide pathways for the lightning strike to take. Globally, about 24,000 people each year are killed by lightning and another 240,000 are injured. While you now know not to shower during a thunderstorm, its important to understand when that storm is actually a threat. Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart has been damaged to the point that its unable to supply enough blood to the organs of the body. Speaking to ABC Radio Brisbane, Dr Karl said if your water pipes are earthed properly, you've got nothing to worry about. Stay away from electrical equipment or cords, including corded phones. "The lightning comes down and is going stutter, stutter, stutter, about 50 metres at a time and each time it stops it looks around and tries to find the lowest resistance pathway to the ground. Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (such as barbed wire fences, power lines, or windmills). For more information, visit the Lightning First Aid Recommendationswebpage. You shouldn't use your sink, wash your hands, or do the dishes either. No, the argument is that there's almost no danger of your house being struck by lightning when there's no thunderstorm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. During a thunderstorm, its recommended to avoid using electronics that are plugged into an electrical outlet. And remember, if you can hear thunder, you can be struck by lightning, even if the skies above are still blue! The National Weather Service doesn't take the risk lightly. As adults, we feel more invincible to thunderstorms, ignoring commonplace safety rules that we used to live by. The rising water drops collide with the falling ice drops, passing them a negative charge and leaving themselves with a positive charge. "It doesn't matter if you've got metal of not.". Cover yourself in the wet stuff either in a shower, bath or just using the faucet in general and you help that electric current jump right to you. "It is possible for lightning to kill someone taking a bath or shower, so the smart choice is not to risk it.". Theyre called fleas because they travel by jumping around. Dr. Kman said, "I've been an ER physician for 13 years, and I have not seen someone struck by lightning in their house." How to Use Leftover Tea Bags in Your Home and More, Whats the Difference Between Glass and Metal BakewareBesides the Obvious, Time-Saving Laundry Hacks According to Laundry Experts, 2023 LifeSavvy Media. NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. Water is a conductor of electricity, and it is possible for you to be electrocuted while in the shower if lightning should strike nearby. The CDC mentions that it's unsafe to shower during a thunderstorm. Kate Kershner Queensland Ambulance said the boy was conscious and breathing after the incident, but he was taken to the Prince Charles Hospital with leg pain. Always see a doctor about loss of sensation. As is, weirdly enough, using scissors near a window during a storm. The rule: If you hear thunder in the distance, don't try to rush to get a quick shower in. No. Always check the weather before starting outdoor activities. If you are caught outside with no safe shelter nearby, the following actions might reduce your risk of being struck by lightning: Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks. To be safe, wait at least 30 minutes after the storm passes to resume use. In addition to avoiding water usage, its recommended to avoid other indoor activities like: Electrical wires, like plumbing, can conduct electricity from a lightning strike. Frequently Asked Questions about Lightning Strikes. The electricity from a lightning strike can travel through these wires, so its recommended to avoid being on concrete floors or walls. 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