You can never be too careful when it comes to a thunderstorm. It's a fascinating weather phenomenon, but it also has its dangers. Here are some recommendations on what not to do during a storm.
Washing dishes or taking a bath
Pipes are excellent conductors, so if lightning strikes and you are in contact with the faucet, the discharge could reach you.
Using a landline phone
If lightning strikes the pole that supports the phone line, it can cause a power surge that will travel to the handset. Therefore, it is much more advisable to use a mobile phone during a storm.
Watching television or using the computer
A lightning discharge can travel through the circuits of household appliances and cause short circuits, damaging them completely.
Driving a convertible car
The metal structure of a normal car protects the occupants. This is because if lightning were to strike the vehicle, it would act as a Faraday cage, diverting the electrical current around the exterior to the ground. This would be impossible in a convertible car, as the lightning would strike the occupant directly.
Touching anything inside the vehicle
If lightning strikes the vehicle, there is a small chance that the energy could spread through the electrical system. The best thing to do is to turn off the engine and not touch anything until the storm has passed.RETURN TO NEWS
