What happens to the body as a result of a lightning strike? Thunder, on the other hand, is the product of that. Even though your home is a safe shelter during a lightning storm, you might still be at risk. The risk of lightning travelling through plumbing might be less with plastic pipes than with metal pipes. Still, Dr. Kman advised, you're making a risk-benefit analysis where you have something minor like getting clean on one end and the possibility of serious injury or death on the other. 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. A recent report by the CDC indicates that lightning can travel through plumbing, so doing anything involving your waterlike showering, washing your hands, and doing the dishesshould all be avoided to reduce your risk of getting struck. As of Aug. 1, 2018, 15 people had been killed and 58 people had been injured by lightning according to The National Weather Service and StruckbyLightning.org. "Is It Dangerous to Bathe During a Thunderstorm?" From beauty hacks to DIY home dcor and everything in between -- Lindsay has a passion for crafting stories that entertain, educate, and inspire. 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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. "The Claim: Never Bathe or Shower in a Thunderstorm." Things such as metal wires or water in your pipes provide a convenient conductive path for the electricity to follow to the ground. Regional and seasonal differences and time of day and year affect the risk of lightning injury (see Lightning Strike Victim Data). And that doesn't just mean sitting in the tub, waiting for (literal) lightning to strike. Thunderstorms usually like to save a big one for the end, and you dont want to end up part of the fireworks! So when there is thunder, there is lightning, and when you hear it, it's time to go inside. If you happen to be standing up and your head is close, it'll go for you. "However, short of doing CPR and restoring circulation for those in cardiac arrest, there is nothing a doctor can do to reverse the injury sequence that has already been precipitated.". Lightning can be especially dangerous. But, as we said earlier, with more than a dozen people getting hurt each year, it's not the biggest threat. Yes. Getting injured from showering during a thunderstorm is not something that happens a lot, but it can. Dwyer said you should even avoid washing your hands or doing the dishes during a thunderstorm. Always check the weather before starting outdoor activities. Never lie flat on the ground. The electricity can travel along the wires and cause electrocution. One that may not seem obvious is leaning on a concrete wall. Do NOT use anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers or other electronic equipment. 22-Year-Old Olympic Surfing Hopeful Katherine Diaz Was Struck and Killed by Lightning While Training, Why You Shouldn't Use Tap Water in Humidifiers, Neti Pots, or Other Home Medical Devices, The 5 Most Common Wintertime Injuries, and How to Avoid Them, A Survivor Shares What It's Like To Be Electrocuted, C-Section Surgery: What Happens During and When Its Necessary, Flash Flooding Is Becoming More CommonHere's How To Prepare and Stay Safe, Dealing With Grief: Coping Skills and Strategies, The 10 Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors of 2023, Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome: When Lyme Disease Becomes Chronic, What Effect Does Being Braless Have On My Body? It is a little bit of an inconvenience, but it is an inconvenience that provides safety. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Globally, about 24,000 people each year are killed by lightning and . But it couldnt possibly be true or could it? Lightning can cause injuries in several ways: We take your privacy seriously. The answer . The developing stage of a thunderstorm is marked by a cumulus cloud that is being pushed upward by a rising column of air (updraft). Typically, half an hour after hearing that final thunderclap is a safe time to venture back into the shower. A lightning strike poses the risk of death by electrocution. Immediately call 911 for help. Thunder and lightning come together during a thunderstorm. The National Weather Service has identified June, July and Augustas peak months for lightning activity across the country. Lightning causes electric currents along the top of the ground that can be deadly more than 100 feet away. In fact, showering . Also, southeastern states are particularly at risk, with Florida and Texas having the largest number of lightning-related deaths. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. We asked Australia's favourite scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. The best way to stay safe during a tornado is to be prepared with the following items: Fresh batteries and a battery-operated TV, radio, or internet-enabled device to listen to the latest emergency weather information. It is safe to touch a lightning victim and administer first aid immediately. Can I use water in my home during a thunderstorm? But don't be mistaken about this one. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. For example, the Empire State Building is hit by lightning about 23 times a year. So the next time theres a thunderstorm, the best thing you can do is go inside immediately. If you're having problems that affect your work, family life or sleep, or if you have increasing pain, it's worth checking in with a doctor. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. 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. Fasten your seat belt and hunker down the best you can. There are a lot of common misconceptions about how lightning works (and what it can affect), so it's not altogether crazy to think that the old "don't shower during a storm" line is another old wives' tale. This means that it can possibly strike you while you are taking a shower. Regardless of whether your home has a lightning rod, Wally conveys that the National Weather Services advises staying away from plumbing, including sinks, baths, showers, and faucets in fear that if a lightning bolt struck the homes water pipes, this would electrify the water and any metal objects associated with the plumbing.. 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. Aspen Green Review: Brand, Products, And More, Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC, cardiovascular effects, like cardio-pulmonary arrest. Don't shower, do your laundry, or otherwise run water during a storm, as lightning may actually travel into the pipes. Is it safe to touch somebody who was struck by lightning? You should avoid being near doors and porches, too. Avoid plumbing; do NOT wash your hands, take a shower, or wash dishes. Survivors typically have to deal with one or more of these symptoms the rest of their lives. The most useful advice for a thunderstorm is: when thunder roars, go indoors. People don't like to shower during thunderstorms because it's potentially very dangerous. What's it feel like to be struck by lightning. How many people are injured from lightning strikes each year in the United States? If you hear thunder, lightning is within striking distance, so that should be your signal to step away from the plumbing and electricity. Why Shouldnt You Shower During a Thunderstorm? All Rights Reserved. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that about 10 percent of people struck by lightning die. So while it's uncommon to be injured while showering during a thunderstorm, it is possible. Your chances of getting electrocuted by lightning are low. Unless youre sitting in a bath outside or showering in the rain, youre incredibly unlikely to be struck by lightning. What Are the Risks of Showering During a Thunderstorm? If you make it a rule not to shower during a thunderstorm, you are safe from the risk. "It doesn't matter if you've got metal of not.". What should I do if I am inside during a thunderstorm? An excellent excuse to skip doing the dishes during a dark and stormy night! 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. Snow fleas arent actually fleas. Does lightning ever strike the same place twice? The National Weather Service doesn't take the risk lightly. NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory. Examples of safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up. James Rawlings does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Her writing has appeared in Thought Catalog, The List, Drink Me Magazine, the Auburn Examiner, and Litro Magazine in the United Kingdom. Bolts of lightning are shown striking south of San . This includes devices like: According to the CDC, its safe to use cell phones during a thunderstorm. Lightning victims DO NOT carry an electrical charge and you will NOT be electrocuted by touching someone who has been struck. "The metal does not attract the lightning," Dr Karl said. Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building's plumbing. And that doesn't just mean sitting in the tub, waiting for (literal) lightning to strike. 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