You should avoid being near doors and porches, too. Your chances of getting electrocuted by lightning are low. Turns out, there's a real risk to your health there. This means that it can possibly strike you while you are taking a shower. While you now know not to shower during a thunderstorm, its important to understand when that storm is actually a threat. But some storms start while people are showering . But a cordless home phone or a mobile are completely safe. 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. (2021). It can also strike at a distance away. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Metal in our homes, including plumbing, can act as a conduit for electrical current. Thunderstorms usually like to save a big one for the end, and you dont want to end up part of the fireworks! It is safe to touch a lightning victim and administer first aid immediately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. There are some activities inside that can be almost as risky as staying outside in the storm. What is considered a safe shelter during a lightning storm? And that doesn't just mean sitting in the tub, waiting for (literal) lightning to strike. What is important to remember is that you should avoid any pipes in your home during a thunderstorm. Males are four times more likely than females to be struck by lightning. If lightning strikes a water pipe or nearby ground, the electricity can travel through the plumbing. Seriously though, it's long been rumored that taking a nice, hot soak in the tub or enjoying a warm shower is a dangerous proposition when electricity is coursing through the sky. If youre outside when a thunderstorm begins, heres what you can do to stay safe: Its unsafe to shower during a thunderstorm. With the warm seasons come thunderstorms and most of us have enough sense to go inside as soon as we hear the first rumble of thunder. About 10% of people struck by lightning die, most commonly because of a heart attack. What should I do if I am caught outside during a thunderstorm? "The plumbing and other metal in our homes can serve as a conduit for electrical current," said Jeffrey A. Andresen, Ph.D., professor of geography, environment, and spatial sciences at Michigan State University. If you hear thunder outside, those dirty dishes can wait. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. 2018. Say it strikes 50 or 100 feet from your house, but some of the wiring or plumbing is going close to that, then it can come in that way, she said. No, the argument is that there's almost no danger of your house being struck by lightning when there's no thunderstorm. In fact, lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially a tall, pointy, isolated object. 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. Why Shouldnt You Shower During a Thunderstorm? The rule: If you hear thunder in the distance, don't try to rush to get a quick shower in. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. All rights reserved. So when there is thunder, there is lightning, and when you hear it, it's time to go inside. Clouds contain millions of water and ice droplets and the interaction of these is what leads to lightning generation. It is a little bit of an inconvenience, but it is an inconvenience that provides safety, Jensenius said. South-east Queensland was absolutely smashed by severe thunderstorms on Sunday night. From beauty hacks to DIY home dcor and everything in between -- Lindsay has a passion for crafting stories that entertain, educate, and inspire. Globally, about 24,000 people each year are killed by lightning and . "It is possible for lightning to kill someone taking a bath or shower, so the smart choice is not to risk it.". By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. While concrete itself isnt that conductive, if it has been reinforced with metal beams (called rebar), these can provide a conductive path for the lightning. It doesnt necessarily need to strike your house directly for it to be problematic, explained Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, director of the Lightning Injury Research Program. For more information on safe shelters, visit our lightning safety tips page. Last medically reviewed on August 29, 2021. People don't like to shower during thunderstorms because it's potentially very dangerous. Thunder and lightning come together during a thunderstorm. When you purchase through our links we may earn a commission. Does Makeup With Skin Care Benefits Really Work? Even though your home is a safe shelter during a lightning storm, you might still be at risk. It may be an inconvenience at the time, but its not worth a lifetime of pain and suffering. Any plumbing in your house is vulnerable to a lightning strike. Over the last 10 years, there have been an average of 28 people struck and killed by lightning every year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It can be dangerous to take a shower or a bath during a thunderstorm. It could turn that nice relaxing shower into something much less relaxing. Lots of people have heard that it is dangerous to shower during a thunderstorm and will avoid it. Physics Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University. (Ba-dum-dum.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Avoid plumbing; do NOT wash your hands, take a shower, or wash dishes. What is my risk of being struck by lightning? Here are some tips to keep safe and reduce your risk of being struck by lightning while indoors. No. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, articles, and more. According to Jeffery Peters, the Lightning Expert for NOAAs National Weather Service, If there are thunderstorms in the area and lightning were to hit your home, lightning tends to either follow the wiring in your home or it can follow the plumbing, as it goes toward the ground. many things you don't know about thunderstorms, these simple steps to stay safe during a storm. Its also worth noting from the organization that your chance of getting struck by lightning is low less than 1 in a million. Avoid anything that will increase your risk of being struck by lightning, such as being near or under tall trees. Sometimes, you predict that a thunderstorm is coming from the plumes of charcoal clouds that knit through the skyor the lightning bolt animation on your weather app. In fact, showering . If there if you feel that you are processing thoughts differently or more slowly than usual, cognitive therapy may help. National Center for Environmental Health. Mostly, the answer is yes. 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. The risk of lightning travelling through plumbing might be less with plastic pipes than with metal pipes. Her muscles spasmed, her whole body went tight and she felt like she couldnt breathe. How Safe Is It To Take Melatonin Every Night? The National Weather Service has identified June, July and Augustas peak months for lightning activity across the country. In a thunderstorm, clouds act as enormous Van de Graaff generators, separating the positive and negative charges to create massive charge separations inside the clouds. Prepare for Spring Storms: Get Weather Alerts Sent to Your Phone. Since lightning can travel through plumbing, "it is best to avoid all water during a thunderstorm. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Yes. As for showering during a thunderstorm, it's advised that you don't. A recent report by the CDC indicates that lightning can travel through plumbing, so doing anything involving your waterlike . (2017). The odds of being struck by lightning in a given year is less than one in a million. To be safe, wait at least 30 minutes after the storm passes to resume use. This is better-safe-than-sorry advice: While this could happen, the chances of it happening are very slim. Also, southeastern states are particularly at risk, with Florida and Texas having the largest number of lightning-related deaths. Lightning can travel through plumbing. 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. In fact, plumbing in a home is often grounded where water comes in at the meter, Wally says. He said a whole herd of cows died at Dorrigo in northern New South Wales despite being 30 to 40 metres away from a tree that was struck by lightning. Here's What Experts Say, What To Do if You Hit Your Head, and When To Seek Treatment. Examples of safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up. Here are some outdoor safety tips that can help you avoid being struck. A couple years before that, a Colorado man was struck inside his garage while taking video of a passing thunderstorm. It's also unsafe to take baths. Whats most important is for you to get indoors. It is a little bit of an inconvenience, but it is an inconvenience that provides safety. Her writing has appeared in Thought Catalog, The List, Drink Me Magazine, the Auburn Examiner, and Litro Magazine in the United Kingdom. "If your house is struck, lightning tends to go through either the wires or the plumbing, so that means anything that's plugged into the wall or connected to an outside wire could become energized Any plumbing in your house is vulnerable to a lightning strike, said John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist at the National Weather Service/NOAA. Learn about the five types of stroke medication here. This could potentially cause electrocution if youre showering or using water. Aspen Green is an award-winning CBD and hemp producer based in Colorado. While the thunder may sound faint or the lightning may appear far away, Peters asserts that lightning can strike up to at least ten miles away from the storm. I think this is somewhere between 10x and 100x. If you are in a forest, shelter near lower trees. "2018 Statistics: 15 Killed, 58 Injured." Read on to learn why its unsafe, along with other activities you should avoid. This story was originally published on April 23, 2018. According to the National Weather Service, lightning strikes about 300 people in the United States each year. Lightning often strikes outside areas of heavy rain and can strike as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Glass, Don. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Its also unsafe to take baths. This includes showering during a thunderstorm. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the old wives were onto something: It really is dangerous to shower while theres a storm brewing outside and there's an entire laundry list of other activities you should avoid, too. The CDC also advises against standing or sitting near windows. Neurogenic shock is a life-threatening condition often caused by trauma or injury to the spine. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches and balconies. The most insightful comments on all subjects This means no outside walls. Most of the time, that means a TV or some other plugged-in appliances get fried as the current makes its way to the ground. If inside during a thunderstorm, do the following: If outside during a thunderstorm, do the following: For more information about lightning safety, visit the lightning safety tips page. If lightning were to strike your house, or even close by, the electrical current could travel through your home using the wiring or pipes. The reason you should be concerned about getting showering during a thunderstorm is that lightning can travel through your pipes. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. After all, we all know water conducts electricity. A weather alert radio can help keep you informed about storms. While your chance of getting struck by lightning is low, it's important to know how to stay safe during a thunderstorm. "Sometimes thunderstorms can save up a big one for the end, and so you don't want to be part of that grand finale," Dwyer said. However, certain activities can increase your risk. Why does this all happen? Do NOT lie on the ground. "If there is a cardiac arrest, prolonged loss of consciousness, decreasing mental clarity, then, yes, see your doctor or go to the emergency department," said Cooper. The reasons are grounded in the pipes. RVs should be avoided as shelter as . Once you pass what she calls the survival test (as in, you survived) be sure to monitor your symptoms. It's also important to remember these risks aren't specific to showers or baths during a thunderstormyou really have to stay away from anything that has to do with pipes when you see lightning or hear thunder outside. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Other lightning injuries include blunt trauma, neurological syndromes that are usually temporary, muscle injuries, eye injuries (lightning-induced cataract), skin lesions, and burns. Every single one of those lightning deaths happened outside, which is where youre much more likely to get struck. 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