Taking a bath or showering during a thunderstorm may sound like a good idea to some, but there are actually safety risks that come with doing this.
Showering During a Thunderstorm: Safe or Not?
During a thunderstorm, people are susceptible to electric shocks if lightning happens to strike a building and move through metal plumbing. This implies that, generally, it is not safe to shower or bathe in the midst of a thunderstorm.
Just because one is situated indoors does not mean that one is safe from potential lightning strike injuries, as 1 in every 3 of these injuries tend to hit people who are indoors. Because of this, it is necessary to take extra precautions during a thunderstorm even when staying inside a building or home.
If one showers during a thunderstorm, the risk of getting electrocuted may go up. This risk goes even higher if the building or structure is loaded with metal pipes rather than plastic ones.
Nevertheless, bathing, showering, and other running-water or plumbing activities should generally be avoided during a thunderstorm. Even washing the dishes or one's hands should be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid activities that involve electrical outlet usage.
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Lightning Strike Injuries
The chances of getting directly struck by lightning is less than 1 in a million. Though this is rare, such lightning strike injuries may result in serious conditions and even lifelong disability. What's more is that a third of these lightning strike injuries occur inside a physical structure.
When lightning strikes one's home, the lightning follows the path where resistance is at its lowest. This means that the lightning will move through electrical lines or pipes for it to arrive at its destination. Because of this, interacting with plugged or plumbing objects during a thunderstorm is unsafe.
A lightning strike's most dangerous time is right before and after a storm. These strikes could extend up to 10 miles from a thundercloud. Hence, if the sound of thunder is still audible, it means that one is still within the range of a lightning strike.
In cases where lightning strikes someone, bodily openings, including the eyes and mouth, become easier entry points compared to thick bones. Because of this, mouth, eye, and ear injuries are more common lightning strike injuries.
One can also get struck by lightning when getting into contact with a struck object or surface. Because of this, lying down during a thunderstorm is also not recommended as it would increase the area of surface that one gets directly in contact with.
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