BUFFALO, N.Y. — Has your mom every told you that it's not safe to shower or bathe or use a phone during a thunderstorm?
According to the National Weather Service, she is right. It's not safe to shower or take a bath during a thunderstorm.
The weather experts say lightning can travel through wiring and plumbing if your home or building is struck by lightning, so it's best to avoid taking that bath or showering until the storm passes.
It's also recommended that you avoid electrical equipment or a corded phone during a lightning storm.
The NWS says there are 25 million cloud-to-ground lightening strikes every year and about 300 people struck by lightning.
They say most people struck by lightning get caught outside during a storm, or people wait too long to seek shelter. Those who were struck while inside homes, were using electrical equipment or a corded phone.
The National Weather Service offers these tips to avoid a lightning threat:
- Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you’ll go for safety and ensure you’ll have enough time to get there.
- Postpone activities. Consider postponing activities if thunderstorms are forecast.
- Monitor the weather. Once outside, look for signs of a developing or approaching thunderstorm such as towering clouds, darkening skies, or flashes of lightning.
- Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, seek safety immediately. Fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing are best. A hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows closed is also safe. Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches do NOT protect you from lightning.
- If you hear thunder, don’t use a corded phone except in an emergency. Cordless phones and cell phones are safe to use.
- Keep away from electrical equipment and plumbing. Lightning can travel through the wiring and plumbing if your building is struck. Don’t take a bath or shower, or wash dishes during a storm.
If you're caught outside during a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter immediately. The NWS also recommends:
- Avoid open areas. Don’t be the tallest object in the area.
- Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility poles. Lightning tends to strike the taller objects in an area.
- Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning can travel long distances through it.
- If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this actually increases the chance that someone might get struck, it tends to prevent multiple casualties, and increases the chances that someone could help if a person is struck.
What should you do if someone is struck by lightning? Call 911 immediately. You can give first aid, or CPR is trained.
