When a thunderstorm approaches, our first instinct should be to get inside a sturdy building. While being indoors is significantly safer than being outside, it’s a common misconception that being indoors means you are completely safe from lightning. The truth is that a lightning strike can still pose a serious threat if you aren’t taking the proper precautions.
Here’s what you need to know about staying safe from lightning indoors.
The Dangers Inside
Lightning doesn’t just hit the ground and stop; it can travel through a building’s plumbing, electrical wiring, and communication lines. A direct strike to your home, a nearby power line, or even a tree close by can send a dangerous electrical current right into your house. This means that anything connected to your home’s infrastructure can become a conductor of lightning’s electricity.
What to Avoid During a Thunderstorm
To minimize your risk, here are the things you should avoid doing when a thunderstorm is in your area:
- Don’t use corded or charging phones. The electrical current can travel through the phone line. While a cordless or mobile phone is generally safe, avoid using them if they are plugged into a charger.
- Don’t touch electrical equipment. This includes computers, TVs, video game consoles, appliances, and any other electronics plugged into a wall outlet. Unplug these items before the storm arrives, if possible. If the thunderstorm is already in the area, do not touch them.
- Stay away from windows and doors. Lightning can strike near or on a window, and the glass can shatter, or the current can travel through the metal frame.
- Stay off the concrete. Lightning can travel through the metal rebar in concrete floors and walls. Avoid leaning on or lying on concrete walls or floors.
- Don’t do the dishes or take a shower. This is a common and dangerous mistake. Water is a great conductor of electricity, and lightning can travel through the plumbing pipes.
What You Can Do
So, what are the safe things you can do?
- Go to the innermost part of your home. A closet, an interior hallway, or a room without windows is the safest place to be.
- Sit on an insulated surface. A bed or a couch is much safer than the floor, if the floor is concrete.
- Wait until the storm has passed. Lightning can strike over 10 miles away from the rainfall. Stay inside until you can no longer hear thunder for at least 30 minutes or receive an all clear.
Remember, a home provides excellent protection, but it’s not a perfect shield. By following these simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk and stay safe until the storm is over or has moved out of your area.
Read more about Lightning Safety from the National Lightning Safety Council.