Umair Gaines
Should you shower during an electrical storm? The answer is a resounding no. While the risk of being struck by lightning while showering is low, it is not zero. If lightning strikes a building, it can travel through its plumbing and electrical wiring, potentially electrocuting anyone who comes into contact with running water or electrical appliances. Metal pipes are better conductors of electricity than plastic pipes, but both can still conduct lightning and increase the risk of electrocution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of electric shock | High |
| Risk of electrocution | High |
| Risk of cardiac arrest | High |
| Risk of internal burns | High |
| Risk of damage to the brain and nervous system | High |
| Risk of death | Low |
| Risk of injury | Low |
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What You'll Learn
Lightning can travel through plumbing and wiring
While the risk of being struck by lightning is low, the consequences can be fatal. Lightning can travel through plumbing and wiring, which poses a risk of electric shock or electrocution.
Lightning is a major threat during a thunderstorm, and it can strike indoors. If lightning strikes a building, it can travel through the electrical wiring or plumbing, and into the ground. This means that people should avoid contact with these pathways during a thunderstorm.
Metal pipes are more likely to conduct lightning than plastic pipes, but it is still best to avoid using any plumbing system or running water during a thunderstorm. This includes water-related activities such as washing hands, clothes, or dishes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise against any activities that involve plumbing systems or electrical outlets during a thunderstorm. This is because lightning can travel through wiring to any plugged-in devices, such as appliances, phones, or computers.
To stay safe during a thunderstorm, it is best to avoid bathing or using water altogether. If someone experiences an electric shock, call for emergency help immediately and move the person away from unsafe locations, such as showers or plumbing systems.
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The risk of electric shock is low, but not zero
While the risk of electric shock from showering during a storm is low, it is not zero. Lightning can travel through metal or plastic plumbing and electrocute you. Metal pipes are excellent conductors of electricity, and they also carry tap water with impurities that help conduct electrical currents. The risk of electrocution is higher with metal pipes, but it is still best to avoid using any plumbing system or running water during a thunderstorm.
Even if you are not directly struck by lightning, the electric current can travel through electrical wiring and plumbing, increasing the risk of electrocution. In addition, lightning can strike nearby objects or buildings, and the electricity can travel through the ground and into your home. This means that even if you are indoors, you are not completely safe from the risk of electric shock.
Although the chances of being harmed by lightning while showering are slim, it is not unheard of. Ron Holle, a former meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, estimates that 10 to 20 people in the United States are shocked annually while bathing or handling appliances during storms.
The potential consequences of being electrocuted are severe and can include internal burns, cardiac arrest, and even death. Therefore, it is best to avoid showering or using any electrical devices during a thunderstorm, as the risks are not worth the potential consequences.
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Avoid using electrical devices
It is best to avoid using any electrical devices during an electrical storm. This is because lightning can travel through electrical wiring and strike you through any device that is plugged into an electrical outlet. This includes appliances, phones, computers, and game controllers. Even wireless devices that are charging at the time are at risk of conducting a lightning strike.
The CDC advises against using electronics that are plugged into electrical outlets during a thunderstorm. This is because lightning can damage electronics and hurt the user. Electrical surges caused by lightning can damage devices even if they are some distance from the strike, and a typical surge protector will not protect the device or the person using it.
It is also worth noting that lightning can strike outside of the storm cloud itself. This means that even if you cannot see any storm clouds, you may still be at risk of a lightning strike if you can hear thunder.
In addition to avoiding electrical devices, it is important to stay away from plumbing, as metal pipes can conduct electricity from a lightning strike. This includes not only showers and baths but also water-related activities such as washing your hands, washing dishes, or doing laundry.
While the risk of being struck by lightning while indoors is low, the potential consequences can be fatal. Therefore, it is crucial to take precautions and avoid using electrical devices and plumbing during an electrical storm.
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Stay away from water-related activities
It is important to stay away from water-related activities during an electrical storm. This includes not only showering, but also bathing, washing hands, washing dishes, and washing clothes. The risk of electric shock or electrocution is due to the possibility of lightning striking a building and travelling through metal or plastic plumbing. While the risk of injury or death from lightning is low, it is not zero.
Water is a good conductor of electricity, and lightning can travel through plumbing and into metal pipes, shocking anyone who comes into contact with a faucet or appliance. Metal pipes are excellent conductors of electricity, and they can also carry tap water that is laden with impurities, further conducting electrical currents. Plastic pipes may decrease the risk of electrocution, but the possibility still exists.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against any activities that involve running water or plumbing during a thunderstorm. This includes not only showering or bathing, but also any other activities that put people in contact with plumbing or running water, such as washing dishes or clothes. Even if you are not in direct contact with plumbing, lightning can travel through electrical wiring and strike electronic devices that are plugged in, so it is important to stay away from these devices as well.
If you are indoors during a thunderstorm, it is important to avoid all water-based activities and to stay away from plumbing systems and electrical wiring as much as possible. If you are outdoors, it is important to find shelter and to avoid standing near bodies of water, such as swimming pools, lakes, or the ocean. Lightning can strike even when it is not raining, and the thunder that accompanies lightning is a signal that the risk of lightning is present.
Overall, it is important to stay away from water-related activities during an electrical storm to minimize the risk of electric shock or electrocution. This includes not only showering, but also a range of other activities that involve water or plumbing. By taking these precautions, you can help to keep yourself and others safe during a thunderstorm.
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Go indoors and avoid tall objects
If you are outdoors during an electrical storm, it is important to go indoors and avoid tall objects. This is because lightning tends to strike the tallest object in its path. If you stand in an open field during a lightning storm, you might be that tallest object. Lightning strikes a few hundred Americans each year, and about 90% of them survive.
If you are unable to find shelter indoors, it is best to leave elevated areas and crouch down so that you have minimal contact with the ground. If you are indoors, avoid windows and doors, and concrete walls or buildings, as these may contain metal pipes or wiring that could conduct lightning.
If lightning strikes a building, it can travel through the plumbing and electrical wiring, potentially causing electric shock or electrocution. While the risk of being struck by lightning while showering is low, it is not zero. Water is a good conductor of electricity, and lightning can travel through metal or plastic plumbing, shocking anyone who comes into contact with a faucet or appliance.
To stay safe during an electrical storm, it is best to avoid all water-based activities, including showering, bathing, and washing dishes or clothes. Instead, find a safe place indoors, away from tall objects, and avoid contact with plumbing and electrical systems until the storm passes.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not safe to shower during an electrical storm. If lightning strikes a building, it may travel through the plumbing and electric wiring, which could lead to electric shock or electrocution.
Lightning can travel through metal or plastic plumbing and strike you while you are in the shower. Metal pipes are excellent conductors of electricity, and the water inside pipes can also conduct electricity from lightning. This can lead to electric shock or electrocution.
The odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime are 1 in 15,300. While the risk of being struck by lightning while showering is low, it is not zero. It is estimated that 10 to 20 people in the United States are shocked annually while bathing or handling appliances during storms.
If you experience an electric shock during a thunderstorm, you should call for emergency help immediately. If the injured person is not bleeding, move them away from the shower and other plumbing systems to minimize the risk of further electrocution. Check the person for other injuries and perform CPR if necessary.
