Standing close to a window during a lightning storm

Staying away from windows during a lightning storm is advised for several reasons:

  1. Glass Shattering: Lightning strikes can cause windows to shatter due to the intense heat and pressure. If a window breaks, it can lead to injury from flying glass shards.
  2. Electrical Surges: Lightning can induce electrical surges that may travel through electrical wiring or plumbing systems, potentially causing damage or posing a risk of electrocution. Staying away from conductive materials near windows reduces this risk.
  3. Lightning Strikes: While the likelihood of lightning directly hitting a window is low, it’s not impossible. A lightning strike near a building can produce powerful electrical currents that could enter through windows, especially if the building’s grounding system is compromised.
  4. Falling Debris: During severe storms, strong winds and flying debris can break windows and create hazards inside your home.

By keeping a safe distance from windows, you minimize these risks and enhance your overall safety during a lightning storm.

Riding a bike during lightning Storm

Riding a bike during a lightning storm is risky for several reasons:

  1. Exposure to Lightning: Being on a bike during a lightning storm exposes you to the risk of being struck by lightning. Metal objects, including bicycles, can conduct electricity, increasing the risk if you’re hit directly or nearby.
  2. Lack of Shelter: Unlike being indoors or in a vehicle, a bike doesn’t provide any protection from the storm. You’re exposed to the elements, including strong winds, heavy rain, and potential hail, which can make riding dangerous and difficult.
  3. Wet Conditions: Storms usually bring rain, making roads slippery and increasing the risk of losing control of your bike. Wet surfaces can lead to accidents or falls.
  4. Visibility Issues: Lightning storms can reduce visibility due to heavy rain and dark skies, making it harder for you to see and be seen by others. This increases the risk of accidents with vehicles or obstacles on the road.
  5. Safety Precautions: During a lightning storm, it’s best to seek shelter in a safe place, ideally indoors or in a well-grounded structure, to avoid the dangers associated with lightning and severe weather conditions.

Overall, for your safety, it’s best to avoid riding a bike during a lightning storm and seek shelter until the storm passes.

Taking a shower during a lightning storm

Avoiding showers during a lightning storm is important for safety due to the following reasons:

  1. Electric Shock Risk: Lightning can cause electrical surges that travel through plumbing systems. If lightning strikes a building or nearby infrastructure, the electrical energy can be conducted through metal pipes and fixtures. If you’re in the shower, the water can conduct electricity, potentially leading to severe injury or even death.
  2. Water Conductivity: Water is a good conductor of electricity, so if lightning causes a surge in the plumbing system, the water you’re in can conduct that electricity to you.
  3. Indirect Contact: Even if lightning doesn’t strike directly, nearby strikes can induce electrical currents in plumbing. This risk is especially significant with metal pipes, which are common in older plumbing systems.
  4. General Safety: Lightning storms can also bring other hazards like strong winds and flooding, which might impact the safety of your living environment and increase the risk of electrical hazards.

To stay safe, it’s best to avoid using plumbing and electrical appliances during a lightning storm and wait until the storm has passed before resuming such activities.

Taking shelter under tree during lightning storm

No, taking shelter under a tree during a lightning storm is not safe. Here’s why:

  1. Lightning Attraction: Trees are often struck by lightning because they are tall and can conduct electricity. Being under a tree during a storm increases the risk of being hit by a lightning strike.
  2. Side Flash: Lightning can cause side flashes, where the electrical current jumps from the tree to nearby objects or people. Even if the tree itself isn’t struck directly, the current can leap to you.
  3. Tree Damage: Lightning strikes can cause trees to split, shatter, or even explode, sending debris flying. This can create additional hazards if you’re taking shelter beneath the tree.
  4. Ground Current: Lightning can also create ground currents that spread out from the strike point. These currents can travel through the ground and affect anyone standing near the struck tree.

The safest places to take shelter during a lightning storm are indoors, in a building with proper grounding, or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle. If you’re caught outdoors and don’t have access to a shelter, avoid open fields and tall objects, and crouch down with your feet close together to minimize contact with the ground.

Using electrical appliances during a lightning storm

It’s generally advisable to avoid using electrical appliances during a lightning storm for several reasons:

  1. Electrical Surges: Lightning can cause power surges that travel through electrical wiring. Using appliances during a storm increases the risk of damage to them and potential electrical hazards.
  2. Shock Risk: If lightning strikes nearby, it can cause a surge that might travel through wiring and reach the appliance you’re using. This could lead to an electrical shock if the appliance is in use.
  3. Damage to Appliances: Power surges from lightning can damage sensitive electronic components in appliances, leading to malfunction or permanent damage.
  4. Fire Hazard: Electrical surges and malfunctions can pose a fire risk. In extreme cases, a surge can cause wiring to overheat and start a fire.

For these reasons, it’s best to unplug electrical appliances during a lightning storm, especially those with sensitive electronics. If you can’t unplug them, avoid using them and stay away from wired devices until the storm has passed.