Lightning has the ability to strike a house or near a house and impart an electrical charge to the metal pipes used for plumbing. |
When Lightning Strikes
Can I get struck by lightning when
I'm indoors?
Over
1,000 people get struck by lightning every year in the United States, and over
100 of them die as a result of the strike.
Lightning
is a very dangerous force that, yes, can even reach you indoors if you're in
contact with the telephone or plumbing.
If
lightning strikes the phone line outside your house, the strike will travel to
every phone on the line -- and potentially to you if you are holding the phone.
So,
if you are indoors during a lightning storm, stay off the phone. If you must
call someone, use a cordless or cell phone -- that way, you're not in
contact with any wires that run outdoors.
Stay
away from plumbing pipes like your bath tub or shower, as well.
Lightning
has the ability to strike a house or near a house and impart an electrical
charge to the metal pipes used for plumbing.
If
you're touching those pipes or anything connected to those pipes, that
electrical charge has a path to you.
This
threat is not as great as it used to be, because PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is
often used for indoor plumbing these days.
If
you are not sure what your pipes are made of, wait it out.
And
while you're at it, switch off your appliances and electronics before the storm
hits.
Such
devices as your computer, television and air conditioner all
provide potential pathways between the lightning and you.
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