Thunderstorms can be awe-inspiring yet terrifying at the same time, but don’t let their electrifying displays and tumultuous rumbles tempt you into making a shocking mistake. Stay safe and avoid these 10 thunderstorm no-nos, and you’ll live to enjoy the post-storm rainbows another day.
Staying Out
You know what they say, “When thunder roars, go indoors!”. At the first sign of a thunderstorm, you need to head indoors to a sturdy building or a hard-topped vehicle and void small sheds, isolated trees, or open structures that offer little protection.
Bathing and Doing Laundry
Taking a shower, bathing, doing the dishes, doing the laundry, or being in contact with running water of any kind during a thunderstorm is like playing Russian roulette with lightning. Water and metal pipes are excellent conductors, so unless you want to risk turning your relaxing soak into a high-voltage horror show, stay dry until the storm passes.
Staying at Pools and Beaches
Speaking of contact with water, it’s never a good idea to be near or in any body of water, be it a pool, lake, or beach during a thunderstorm. As we discussed earlier, water is a good conductor of electricity, so you don’t want to be zipped in the middle of your swimming session. Don’t waste any time to get out and seek safety indoors.
Driving Through Flooded Roads
Heavy rains during a thunderstorm can quickly lead to flash floods, making roads dangerous and impassable. Never attempt to drive, swim, or even walk through flooded roads, as it only takes six inches of moving water to sweep you and your vehicle away.
Plugging in Electronic Devices
Keeping your electronic devices plugged in during a thunderstorm is just asking for a surge of trouble. Lightning can travel through electrical systems, so put down the controller, step away from the computer, and resist the urge to binge-watch until the coast is clear. This includes using corded phones, as lightning can travel through phone lines as well. Mobile phones (quite obviously) are safe, though.
Window Watching
As tempting as it may be to admire nature’s light and rain show, steer clear of windows, skylights, doors, and porches. Lightning can strike through open windows or even shatter the glass (this science and tech educator on BBC Science Focus said it best), turning your storm-watching session into a dangerous game of dodgeball.
Being in Close Contact with Concrete
Concrete floors and walls may seem sturdy, but they often contain metal bars or wires that can conduct lightning. So, if you’re hunkering down in a parking garage or leaning against a concrete wall, you might as well be holding a lightning rod.
Seeking Shelter Under a Tree
Seeking shelter under a tree during a thunderstorm is a recipe for disaster. Lightning tends to strike the tallest objects, so unless you want to become a human lightning conductor, stay away from isolated trees and find safer ground. And if you have the unfortunate luck of being in the middle of the forest during a thunderstorm, make sure you’re near the shorter trees.
Having Metal Accessories on You
Lightning is attracted to metal, so if you’re caught outside during a storm, remove any metal jewelry, watches, or clothing with metal zippers or buttons. This includes removing any metal leashes, collars, or harnesses from your pet. You don’t want yourself or your pet to become a walking target for an electric fashion faux pas.
Staying in Open Spaces
If you’re in any kind of open space like a golf course, a sports arena, a playground, a park, or a baseball dugout, you run the risk of being struck by lightning. But If you are caught in an open area during a thunderstorm, resist the urge to lie flat on the ground, since doing so raises the likelihood of being impacted by possibly fatal ground currents.
Sources: Red Cross, AccuWeather, CDC, NationWide