We’ve had several lighting strikes in my part of Vermont, one of which hit a friend of mine who was standing in her kitchen washing dishes.
Living in a valley, I had been told we were low risk for lighting strikes and by being in the house the risk was even lower. While there may be a slight reduction in risk by living where we do, it’s by no means a guarantee. In addition to a person being struck, the same storm caused a house fire in the next town. We're getting more storms and rain, so best to be prepared.
According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Each year in the United States, lightning kills 20-30 people on average and injures 100s more. Tornadoes, hail, and wind gusts get the most attention, but only lightning can strike outside the storm itself. It is the first thunderstorm hazard to arrive and the last to leave.
Even though more than 90% of people survive lighting strikes, the damage can be significant. My friend was telling me yesterday about how some of her nerves are now pretty damaged.
Is it safe to take a shower, tub or wash dishes during a thunder storm? When a thunderstorm is raging, lightning can strike a house and travel through its plumbing to strike you, making showering during a thunderstorm an unsafe practice. This is true even if you have plastic pipes because water is a good conductor of electricity. That’s also true if you’re bathing, washing dishes or washing your hands — all unsafe activities to do during a thunderstorm.
To protect yourself from a lightning strike, refrain from showering for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder roll you hear. The most dangerous times for a lightning strike are immediately before and immediately after the storm. Lightning strikes can commonly extend 10 miles out from a thundercloud. So, if you’re able to hear thunder, you’re still within that strike distance.”
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors: The safest location during a thunderstorm is inside a large enclosed structure with plumbing and electrical wiring. These include shopping centers, schools, office buildings, and private residences. If lightning strikes the building, the plumbing and wiring will conduct the electricity more efficiently than a human body. If no buildings are available, then an enclosed metal vehicle such as an automobile, van, or school bus makes a decent alternative.
While indoors, stay away from electrical appliances and plumbing fixtures. Stay in an interior room in an interior room if possible. Don’t use a landline, opting instead for a cell phone or lap top that’s not plugged in.
Are vehicles the safest place to be? Anything with an open cab is not safe, such as golf cart, convertible (even with the top up), tractors, construction equipment etc. If you are in a vehicle, roll the windows up and don’t touch anything that could be a conducting path leading to the outside of the vehicle, such as radios, CBs, ignition.
Your best protection is to plan ahead. Use the following resources to learn more.
• Striking Facts About Showering During a Thunderstorm.
• American Hiking Society Lighting Safety
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